- Nicole Putney, 32, hanged herself in Novotel in Worsley, Manchester
- Former US vet student of the year died four months after her wedding
- Left note to 'unnamed woman' she believed was having affair with husband
- Simon Mueller told inquest how their relationship had broken down
- Coroner recorded verdict of suicide after inquest into her death in May
An internationally acclaimed vet killed herself in a hotel room after leaving a note for a woman she believed was having an affair with her scientist husband, an inquest heard.
American-born animal welfare expert Nicole Putney, 32, hanged herself in the Novotel in Worsley, Greater Manchester, while visiting the city for a conference.
Police were called to her room after Ms Putney had contacted loved ones and said she was planning to kill herself.
Officers found a note on the bed apologising to family and friends, which also told husband Simon Mueller, a physicist at the International Energy Agency, she wanted to 'leave him'.
The inquest into her death heard an 'unnamed female' mentioned in the letter appeared to be involved in an affair with Mrs Putney's scientist husband.
A mobile phone next to her bed also revealed a string of texts between herself and Mr Mueller discussing their failing marriage.
In a statement Mr Mueller, who did not attend the inquest, an expert on renewable energy, described how their relationship broke down and led to several suicide attempts.
He said: 'My relationship with my wife was harmonious to begin with. She quit her job and moved to Paris to be with me and our goal was to move to London.
'Nicole moved her things to Paris in late September 2014 but didn't handle the transition very well. Our relationship deteriorated and the deterioration continued over a period of time.
'Her first suicide attempt was in 2014 when we had been talking about the relationship and I had left to meet a friend. When I came back I found her with a note beside her and a knife. She had taken her pain medication and I managed to wake her up and call an ambulance.
I received a very difficult telephone call when she asked me to get a divorce lawyer and get the papers. I didn't know what to respond to her request. She contacted me several times before her death
Nicole Putney's husband Simon Mueller
'She made another suicide attempt in January 2015, she tried hanging herself and collapsed. ***just Despite those events, we decided to follow through with our planned marriage which was on January 9 2015'.
After their wedding she began looking for jobs in London but as her husband said he wanted to stay in Paris she became upset.
He said: 'I decided I would not quit my job in Paris straight away. We had an argument and she told me she was going out to get a drink, then she text me saying she was going to jump in front of a train.
'She was found and taken to an emergency care ward where she was hospitalised'.
After she recovered he said: 'I received a very difficult telephone call when she asked me to get a divorce lawyer and get the papers. I didn't know what to respond to her request. She contacted me several times before her death and we were texting'.
Ms Putney died on May 28 after Mrs Putney had checked into the hotel the day before.
A receptionist told the inquest: 'I was working on reception doing a night shift. At 1.55am I received a telephone call from someone in the USA. She said she had become worried about the safety of Mrs Putney.
'I transferred the call to Mrs Putney's room but it came back to the reception unanswered. The caller then told me it was an emergency, as she had told her father she was going to commit suicide, and asked me to go and check the room and that was when the police were called.
'Two police officers attended the hotel room. They entered and noticed the body of a young female/ Near the end of the bed there was suicide note.'
Ms Putney, who was born in Michigan, was once named 'National Vet Student of the Year' in Washington D.C.
During her career she published a string of articles on veterinary topics and in the US testified several times as an animal welfare expert during criminal trials on pet cruelty.
She also did volunteer veterinary work on Indian reservations for several summers, travelled to Costa Rica on a veterinary mission, and in the course of her training, visited several animals shelters in the eastern and southern United States.
She initially moved to Paris to be with fiancee Mr Mueller whom she had known for 17 years. But cracks began appear in their relationship and she made several suicide attempts.
In recording a verdict of suicide Coroner, Alan Walsh, said: 'She had a very difficult personal life and there is clear evidence of a breakdown of her marriage.
'They were living separately, he was in Paris and she was in London and from the messages and evidence it's clear their relationship broke down. That had a major impact on Mrs Putney.
'She was obviously a very talented young lady, someone who gained credentials from her studies and created change. It's important to record the impact of her life in veterinary medicine.
'She was on the verge of a new career in London with the Royal Veterinary College. However, in May of 2015 and particularly when she came to Manchester, she reached a very low level arising from mainly the breakdown of her marriage.
'There were previous attempts at self harm and the actions taken by her were what brought her life to an end. She had made contact with people in America, telling them she may commit suicide and by the time people got there she had already taken the action.
'In the room, there was evidence in the form of notes of her intention to end her life. She found a note and pen lay on the floor next to the bed. She read the note on the note pad. The first part offered apologies to friends and family and then there was a line sectioning it away from the second part.
'The second part of the note appeared to be intended for an unknown female who appeared to be involved in an affair with the writers' husband. The note said she would leave him too. There was an iPhone on the bedside table and a text to Simon Mueller. The text trail was long and about relationship issues.'
'It's a great tragedy that a young lady aged 32 who was bright, intelligent and extremely competent in her profession. She was in a situation where she was clearly badly effected by the break down of her relationship and I will pass my condolences on to her family.'
No family or friends were at the inquest. But in an online tribute website, close friend, Stephanie Fromwiller said: 'I am so saddened to hear of the loss of Nicole. She was my best friend from the age of 8 all the way through our teenage years.
'I followed her accomplishments online and was so proud of her for all she had done. You guys have been in my thoughts every day since I heard of her passing. I hope you can find comfort in all that she has accomplished and the difference she made for so many people and animals. She will be dearly missed.'
- For confidential support call the Samaritans in the UK on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local Samaritans branch or click here for details.
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