😢 Overwhelmed by Loneliness: A Devoted Mother’s Heartbreaking Final Act Leaves Britain in Tears 💔🙏

Martina, who had given everything as a full-time carer for her severely disabled, non-verbal daughter, had been battling deep feelings of isolation and sadness — even with support from family, friends, and professionals. In her final note, she wrote of her immense love: “I love my daughter truly and that’s why I have taken her with me”.

The coroner described how extreme loneliness overwhelmed her, leading to this unimaginable tragedy. The story has touched hearts across the UK, sparking compassion, calls for better carer support, and reminders that no one should feel so alone.

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A devoted single mother who spent years caring full-time for her severely disabled daughter ended both their lives in September 2024, overwhelmed by profound loneliness and isolation despite extensive support from family, friends, and professionals. The deaths of Martina Karos, 40, and her 8-year-old daughter Eleni Edwards have deeply moved the UK, prompting renewed calls for greater awareness and resources for parent carers facing emotional burnout.

The pair were discovered at their home on South Radford Street in Kersal, Salford, on September 23, 2024, after emergency services forced entry following concerns from Eleni’s special school that she had not attended. Police and paramedics found mother and daughter in the same bedroom. Post-mortem examinations confirmed the cause of death as carbon monoxide toxicity for both.

A four-day joint inquest at Bolton Coroner’s Court, concluding on January 16, 2026, heard detailed evidence about Martina’s mental health struggles, her role as sole carer, and the crushing sense of social isolation that had built over time. Area Coroner Peter Sigee ruled that Martina died by suicide and that Eleni was unlawfully killed, stating: “Ms Karos deliberately placed herself and her daughter in an environment where they were overcome by the toxic effects of carbon monoxide with the intention and effect of ending both their lives.”

A Life of Devotion and Growing Isolation

Martina Karos, originally from Poland and a former translator who moved to the UK from Italy in 2003, had become Eleni’s full-time carer after the child’s profound physical and mental disabilities became apparent shortly after birth. Eleni was blind, non-verbal, and required constant care, leaving Martina with little opportunity for personal time or social connections.

The inquest heard that Martina had struggled with depression following the end of a relationship, compounded by the daily demands of caregiving. She experienced “extreme loneliness and isolation,” often feeling alone in the house with only her non-verbal daughter for company. Witnesses, including her best friend Kirree Marsland, described Martina as devoted but increasingly withdrawn. She had confided in friends that life no longer felt worth living and worried about her daughter’s future independence.

Despite these challenges, Martina received significant support: regular visits from social workers, specialized mental health services, carers, her GP, and a small circle of friends and family. The coroner noted this “high level of good quality, focused support” but concluded it was not enough to prevent the overwhelming feelings that took hold.

In a heartbreaking suicide note left by Martina, she expressed her deep love for Eleni and explained her actions: “I love my daughter truly and that’s why I have taken her with me, due to her severe disability. She will never be able to have an independent life.” The note also detailed how loneliness, sadness, and isolation had “taken over my life” after her relationship ended.

No Failures in Support, But a Preventable Heartbreak

The coroner emphasized that authorities and support services had not failed Martina — her death was not reasonably foreseeable, and no prevention of future deaths report would be issued. However, the case has spotlighted the silent epidemic facing many parent carers: the emotional toll of long-term, intensive caregiving without adequate respite or peer connection.

Experts in disability support and mental health note that full-time carers often report high rates of depression, anxiety, and burnout. Caring for a child with profound needs can limit social outings, employment, and personal relationships, leading to profound isolation — especially when the child is non-verbal and unable to provide reciprocal emotional support.

In Martina’s case, the inquest heard she felt “socially isolated” and “lonely every night,” with no one to share the evenings with beyond her daughter. Friends described her as a loving, committed mother who adored Eleni but struggled to maintain her own well-being amid constant responsibility.

Community Response and Calls for Change

News of the tragedy has resonated widely across Greater Manchester and beyond. Social media posts and comments reflect sympathy rather than judgment, with many carers sharing their own experiences of feeling “dark, lonely, depressed, and hopeless” at times. One parent wrote: “As a mum of a child with a disability, I know how dark life can feel. Only those in it truly understand.”

Local organizations and charities have highlighted the need for expanded carer support networks, including more respite care, peer groups, and mental health outreach tailored to isolated parents. The story has also prompted discussions about early intervention for depression in carers and the importance of checking in regularly, even when support systems appear in place.

Eleni was remembered at the inquest as a “happy child who was deeply loved and well cared for.” Photos shared by family and friends show a smiling girl held close by her mother, underscoring the bond that defined their lives — and the tragedy of its end.

For the wider community in Salford, the case serves as a somber reminder of hidden struggles behind closed doors. While the coroner found no systemic failures, the overwhelming loneliness Martina experienced despite help raises questions about how society can better surround carers with meaningful connection and relief.

Martina and Eleni’s story has left a lasting impact: a call to listen more closely to those caring alone, to offer not just practical aid but genuine companionship, and to ensure no one feels so isolated that ending life seems the only escape. In their memory, advocates hope for stronger safety nets so future families never reach the same breaking point.