A promising young footballer who played for Newcastle United women’s team took her own life at her County Durham home after a long battle with depression.
Dominyka Podziute had forged herself a successful career after playing for Seaham Coast, Hartlepool and Chester-le-Street, before moving on to become a youth goalkeeper.
But on April 12 this year, the 21-year-old was found dead at her home on Alcote Grove in Shotton Colliery.
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On Tuesday (June 14), Crook Coroner’s Court heard how Ms Podziute had suffered from mental health problems throughout her life.
Ms Podziute had attempted to take her own life a year before and had a history of self-harm.
According to her GP, Seid Mousavi, at Marlborough Surgery in Seaham, she had been referred to the Children and Young Person Mental Health Service (CAMHS) in 2015 and 2016 and Talking Changes in 2019, 2020 and 2021 but “hadn’t engaged with the sessions” and was discharged.
Alongside the referrals, her GP noted that two social services cases had been opened – one in February 2020 that saw Ms Podziute tell her family “you’ll all be better off without me."
The inquest heard how the last person to see Ms Podziute alive was her neighbour on April 9.
Her family had become concerned for her welfare on April 10 after not hearing from her for several days, and not responding to an invite to have coffee with her father and sister.
The inquest heard that on the morning of April 12, Ms Podziute’s father and sister attended her home in Shotton Colliery where they raised the alarm to the police when she did not answer.
She was tragically found dead and there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death.
Concluding, Coroner James Thompson said that Ms Podziute had suffered depression and anxiety throughout her life but had not engaged with any support agencies.
While he noted that she had “good and bad days” – no alcohol or drugs played a factor in the death and that she had intended to end her own life on April 12.
Recording a verdict of suicide, he added: “My sincere condolences to the family to lose someone so young is a tragedy.
"My deepest condolences to her friends and family for this tragic loss.”
Following her death, tributes flooded in for the footballer affectionately nicknamed ‘Dom’.
At the time, Newcastle Women's Twitter account paid tribute by saying: “We are devastated to hear of the passing of our former player Dominyka Podziute.
"Dom was a much-loved member of the squad during her time at the club, and will be sorely missed across North East football.
"Our thoughts are with Dom’s family and friends at this difficult time."
If you are in distress and struggling with your mental health, a range of charities are available to contact, including Samaritans on 116 123 or SANEline on 0300 304 7000
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