A St Asaph woman who had been in a “toxic” relationship with her gay partner killed herself after a drunken row, an inquest heard.

Angela Hicks told the hearing in Ruthin that her daughter Lindsey’s partner Natalie Byrne was very possessive and was often violent.

“They physically fought and were often seen fighting in the street,” she said.

Mrs Hicks said that Lindsey, 28, who had a young son, felt “smothered” and told friends that the only way out was to kill herself.

Lindsey Hicks started drinking and taking drugs while still a teenager and often self-harmed . She once took an overdose and tried to hang herself.

Her friend Michelle Newton, in a statement read at the Ruthin inquest, said that Lindsey was often covered in bruises and Natalie would not let her see her son.

“Natalie took her away from us……..it was a toxic relationship,” she said.

Linsey’s cousin Fiona Hogg said that on May 30 last year she went to her home in Merllyn Terrace, St Asaph because she was worried she might harm herself, but there was no reply, though the lights were on.

The following morning, when Natalie returned home, she found Lindsey lying dead on the kitchen floor. 

A post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as hanging. 

When interviewed by the police Natalie Byrne said they were both heavy drinkers, sometimes having a “ blowout” for up to three days.

John Gittins, coroner for North Wales East and Central, recorded a conclusion of suicide.