Woman who took own life in supermarket is named

Sobia Yousef stabbed herself in the neck on Tuesday morning in Asda and died in the store just after 8.30am.

The 36-year-old, from Beamsley Road, Shipley, is thought to have taken a knife off the shelf at the store in Manor Lane and suffered a fatal neck wound. She was pronounced dead at the scene despite staff attempting to give her medical treatment before paramedics arrived.

Police say they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the death. Ms Yousef has not yet been formally identified but she was named by Bradford Coroner’s Court prior to an inquest being opened this morning.

Detective Chief Inspector Tony Nicholson, from Bradford CID, said yesterday: “As there are no suspicious circumstances a file has been prepared and passed to 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.”

A spokeswoman for Asda said: “We are aware of an incident in our Shipley store this morning and our thoughts are with the individual’s family at this time. Our priority at this time is looking after our colleagues and supporting the police in their investigation.”

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.

West Yorkshire Police have also revealed that 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 Asda.

Officers were called to Costa Coffee on Market Street, Shipley, just after 10am before arresting and handcuffing the man, who was shouting at staff and customers. After detaining him they discovered he had in fact been holding a long kitchen lighter.

Inspector Hugh Robinson, from Shipley neigbourhood policing team, said: “A man was arrested in Shipley for being drunk and disorderly following an incident in Costa Coffee. We would very much like to stress that this incident was in no way connected to an earlier incident in Shipley at the Asda supermarket.”

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

Anyone with information about the woman can ring Bradford CID on 101.