‘Quietly extraordinary’ – Husband’s moving tribute after teacher dies suddenly at home

Amelia Faith Rose Sebright, 30, worked as a special needs teacher

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A grieving husband has paid tribute to his “quietly extraordinary” wife following her sudden and tragic death at home.

Amelia Faith Rose Sebright, 30, worked as a teacher of special needs children in Sowerby Bridge and was known for her kind and patient personality and her determination to assist her pupils. She was born in Sheffield and was a Nottingham University graduate.

Sadly, Amelia was found at home at Heptonstall near Hebden Bridge by husband James on March 4 this year, Bradford coroner’s court heard on Monday.

In a statement, James described his wife as kind and patient in the way she cared for other people. In the days after her death, people had described Amelia as a person who “brought warmth into every room she entered.”

She had dedicated her life to helping young people, most recently as a maths teacher at a school in Sowerby Bridge where her pupils had reported that maths was their favourite lesson.

James said his wife’s altruism extended outside her professional life where she would hand food and drink to rough sleepers in Bradford, buying things from her own pocket.

James told the court that, two years before his wife’s death, she had been diagnosed with autism which had helped her make sense of the feeling of “not quite fitting in” and explained why she had struggled with her emotions.

“Despite everything, she continued to give so much of herself to others.”

Her death had left an “enormous hole” in the lives of all those close to her, he said.

James said his wife had been finding life difficult and, on the day of her death, had a particularly bad day at work due to understaffing. She had come home and followed her usual routine which involved going upstairs and spending time alone for between 45 minutes and an hour.

The inquest was told that a short time later James had found his wife upstairs. Police and paramedics attended and CPR was carried out but Amelia’s life could not be saved. Her cause of death was hanging. She had a previously self harmed and, in 2020, had attempted suicide, the hearing was told. She had been prescribed medication for anxiety and depression.

Assistant coroner Angela Brocklehurst concluded that Amelia died from suicide. She noted that there had been a “small argument” on her way home from work with a family member.

She expressed her sympathy and condolences to James and family, who attended court, telling them: “From what I have read and been told, Amelia was an exceptional lady.

“Her pupils she cared for deeply and did everything she could to give them a good education and help them with their special needs.”