Dog groomer to Coronation Street stars killed himself after tidal wave of abuse from online trolls, inquest
An inquest heard that dog groomer and animal sanctuary founder Bailey Lister died by suicide after months of online criticism and harassment affected his mental health. The coroner concluded that he took his own life, noting that financial problems and online abuse contributed to his distress.
Lister, 22, founded Hugo’s Small Animal Sanctuary near Blackpool aged 18, but financial difficulties led to his eviction from the site and a surge of online abuse. He attempted suicide five times in 12 weeks, and police were investigating the messages when he died on 6 May. The coroner said his condition had improved with professional support, and he had been looking forward to work caring for animals.
In short
- An inquest linked online abuse and financial stress to Bailey Lister’s distress.
- Lister founded a small animal sanctuary aged 18.
- Police were investigating the harassment when he died.
Explained simply
An inquest is a formal hearing that examines how someone died, particularly when the death was sudden or unexplained. A coroner leads the hearing and considers evidence from people involved, including about events that may have affected the person’s wellbeing.
Bailey Lister was a young dog groomer who founded Hugo’s Small Animal Sanctuary near Blackpool. The sanctuary cared for small animals, but financial difficulties led to his eviction from its site. Online criticism and harassment can have serious effects on mental health, while financial pressure can add to someone’s distress.
The story also concerns how suicide is investigated and how people experiencing mental health problems may receive support. Inquest evidence can describe factors linked to a death, but it does not mean that any one factor alone explains it.