The death of rough sleeper Silva Parden-Bell who was found hanged on Bradford Road on Friday has shocked many people.
The 35-year-old and her dog Bonnie were well-known around Huddersfield with more than 120 people posting on our Facebook account sharing their memories of her.
Ms Parden-Bell was taken to Leeds General Infirmary on Friday but died the following day.
An inquest is set to be opened and adjourned at Bradford Coroner’s Court shortly.
Her death seemed all the more poignant as the Examiner had witnessed at first hand attempts by police and partner agencies to help Ms Parden-Bell.
We found her sleeping along with her dog in Alfred Street multi-storey car park around 10 days before her death.
Police and partner agencies had also hoped they were on the verge of getting her to be housed at the Clare House hostel for the homeless, once difficulties regarding housing her dog could be ironed out.
Pc Scott Gardner, who was leading the mission in Alfred Street that day, said: “I was shocked and very sorry to hear the news. I had known her for two years.
“She had not really engaged but we were on the point of getting her to engage and come in.
“Clare House had agreed that she could take the dog with her into the room with her as opposed to the kennel at the back.
“She had agreed to come down and give us another opportunity. It’s really sad.”
Anne Taylor was just one person who was moved to write on Facebook. She said: “Absolutely gutted to hear this!
“Thought about her every day since Friday. I have never come across her, but so wish I had.
“So many people seem to have known her and yet no-one could help her! 35yrs old! What a tragic waste of a life!
“She must have been a good person to take on and look after a dog.
“The dog must be missing her dreadfully.
“If only she could see all these messages from people now and know that a lot of people do care, we just didn’t know!
“Feeling very sad right now and despair of the human race sometimes! That dog probably gave her more love and happiness than anyone.”
Some readers also expressed concern about how much was being done to try to help rough sleepers such as Ms Parden-Bell.
Huddersfield is fortunate in having top class facilities and first class carers who try their best to help the homeless and those needing help.
Clare House which cost £2.2m opened on November 30 and in that time has helped 87 people who were homeless or sleeping rough on the streets of the town.
Rev Linda Maslen, a trustee of Christians Together, (Calderdale), which works with rough sleepers said of Ms Parden-Bell’s death: “She clearly was right at the end of her tether.”
She added that such people often have pets to which they become very attached but that they could become a “hindrance” when attempting to get housing.
