Mother, 44, took her own life after court order stopped her from seeing her children following marriage breakdown, inquest hears

Published: 16:43, 30 July 2026 | Updated: 16:43, 30 July 2026 A John Lewis store worker killed herself when her marriage broke down and she was prevented from seeing her three children. Nika Bittova, 44, had moved out of the family home when the 16-year relationship with her husband foundered, a coroner's court heard. She was banned from seeing her children by a court order and when she breached this by going to her daughter's school she feared the consequences, the inquest was told. She became terrified that police would come and arrest her during her job on the cosmetics counter at the store. Shortly before her death Ms Bittova had seen her doctor about low mood, telling him: 'I don't want medication. I just want to see my children.' A friend had also contacted her GP to say she was worried Ms Bittova 'couldn't go on living without them.' Ms Bittova, who was originally from the Czech Republic and had studied in the Czech city of Opava, had lived in the UK for almost two decades, working as a sales representative at the Reading branch of John Lewis for 15 years, most recently selling the beauty brand Guerlain. After separating from her children's father, Michael Tiplady, she had been staying with a friend, Laura Dielhenn, the court heard. And it was Ms Dielhenn who found her dead at her home in Earley, Berkshire, on August 3 last year. Nika Bittova, 44, killed herself when her marriage broke down and she was prevented from seeing her three children Ms Bittova had lived in the UK for almost two decades, working as a sales representative at the Reading branch of John Lewis for 15 years The inquest at Reading Coroner's Court heard that Ms Dielhenn had been worried about Ms Bittova in the days leading up to her death. She had said that she was afraid the ongoing court case meant that police would arrest her during her work as a cosmetics salesperson. Although Ms Dielhenn tried to reassure her friend that, with the matter being a family court case, it was highly unlikely the police would get involved, she was still worried. At about 2am on August 3 last year, Ms Dielhenn woke up to tend to her baby and noticed the light was on in Ms Bittova's room. When she went to bed at about 4am, the light was off. Ms Dielhenn woke up at about 8am and wondered whether her friend would like a cup of tea and, at 9am, she knocked on her door. She got no answer and opened the door, but could not see her and searched the house for her. Ms Dielhenn then phoned Ms Bittova and heard her phone ringing in her room. When she entered and looked again, she found Ms Bittova lifeless. Police were called, but she was pronounced dead at the scene. Ms Bittova had been staying with Ms Dielhenn since January 2025 - weeks after the unpermitted visit to her daughter's school - and had seen her doctor about low mood and anxiety. A friend had also contacted her doctor's surgery to express concern after she had spoken about taking her own life. Shortly before her death Ms Bittova told her doctor, 'I don't want medication. I just want to see my children' The mother became terrified that police would come and arrest her during her job on the cosmetics counter at the store She was recommended for counselling by her doctor, but the local NHS talking therapy team declined her request because she was already seeing a counsellor through a local mental health charity, the court heard. In a tribute read out at the inquest, Ms Bittova's friend, April Slater, said: 'She was a brilliant, caring, girl and a great salesperson. She loved her children. 'She wanted to be back home with them. I saw how she had changed from the smiling, happy, girl she was. 'Nika felt she couldn't go on living without them; without her children, there was no way out.' A toxicology report found no traces of alcohol or drugs in her system. Coroner Ian Wade said that, while no note was found, he was satisfied she had intended to take her own life and recorded a conclusion of suicide, with the cause of death being compression of the neck. He said: 'This is a sad and tragic death.' He added: 'I want to extend my sympathies and condolences to everyone who loved and cared for her. 'I would hope that anyone and everyone who has the opportunity to look after her children will make sure they continue to love their mother.' Mr Tiplady did not attend the hearing. He provided a written statement but it was not read out publicly. For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit www.thecalmzone.net/get-support