Woman who killed herself in supermarket is identified by police

An appeal was issued for information about the woman by West Yorkshire Police after the death at Asda in Shipley on Tuesday morning. Officers now say she was a 36-year-old from the Shipley area.

The woman is thought to have taken a knife off the shelf in the hardware section of the store in Manor Lane and suffered a fatal neck wound shortly after 8.30am. Staff tried to give her medical treatment before paramedics arrived but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

It is understood the woman, who also had family in Shipley, was suffering from depression. A post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death was due to take place yesterday and the woman could be formally identified by police today.

Detective Chief Inspector Tony Nicholson, from Bradford CID, said: “As there are no suspicious circumstances a file has been prepared and passed to the coroner and an inquest is expected to be opened in due course, where the identity will be confirmed.

“Officers would like to thank the media and public for their assistance in helping to identify the woman.”

In the hours after the incident, a manager stood at the door turning away customers and saying the store had been closed because of “an incident”. Passers-by gathered in the rain trying to find out what had happened.

A man was arrested for being drunk and disorderly after reports he was brandishing a knife in a coffee shop five minutes walk away from the supermarket on the same day. After detaining him at Costa Coffee on Market Street at 10am, West Yorkshire Police officers discovered he had in fact been holding a long kitchen lighter.

The charity Samaritans offers confidential emotional support to those experiencing feelings of distress, despair or suicidal thoughts. Call 08457 909090 or email [email protected].