A WOMAN described as a “loving daughter” took her own life in West Dorset, a coroner has ruled.

Jess Pulteney, from Exeter, died when she fell from East Cliff at West Bay on Wednesday, December 10, 2014.

An inquest into the 26-year-old’s death was held in Bournemouth this week, with Coroner for Dorset, Sherriff Payne determining she had taken her own life.

Dr Joan McCutcheon, from the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, reported that the cause of death was multiple injuries following the fall.

The inquest heard how four golfers at Bridport and West Dorset Golf Club had seen Ms Pulteney close to the cliff edge.

Peter May, from Swyre, said initially that he called out for her to be careful near the cliff edge before she “rolled forward”.

The inquest heard that Ms Pulteney left behind a notebook, made up of diary entries and notes for her loved ones – along with a key to a room at the West Bay Hotel, where she had been staying.

Enclosed in the notebook was a letter written by clinical psychologist Birdie Probyn, who had been holding weekly sessions with her since November.

The note was for Ms Pulteney to hand to her GP at a scheduled appointment the day before her death, an appointment she failed to keep.

Mrs Probyn told the inquest that her patient had been spending most of her time at her mother’s home in Ottery St Mary as “she felt safer there”.

She described her as a “pleasant and co-operative young woman” but “seemed to be slowed down”.

Ms Pulteney’s mother, Dianna Pulteney, described her daughter as a “devoted friend” and a “loving daughter”, but that she had started to become stressed at her job as recreational manager and welfare officer at The Globe English Centre in Exeter.

Ms Pulteney was prescribed an anti-depressant, sertraline.

Mrs Pulteney said: “She said that ten days after starting the medication, she started having mood swings and she was concerned she may be bipolar.

“She questioned why she had been prescribed sertraline because of the risks.”

The inquest heard a statement from Ms Pulteney’s aunt, Dr Stella Dixon who said her niece’s job was “proving problematic” as she took on more responsibility.

“She was getting very anxious and panicky at work” said Dr Dixon. “Jess always found it hard to say no to people.

“She had decided to resign from her job and was looking to seek another one. We thought she may have turned a corner.”

In giving his verdict, Coroner for Dorset Sherriff Payne, said: “Many of us will not know why people get to such a state that they have to end their lives.

“The only verdict I can make is that she has taken her own life.”