A dog groomer who cared for pets belonging to soap stars took his own life after months of online abuse severely affected his mental health, an inquest heard.
Bailey Lister, 22, was described as a devoted animal lover. He died after enduring a sustained campaign of cruel and distressing messages from internet trolls.
Police were investigating the stream of online harassment when Bailey died on May 6, before the inquiry had been completed. Among the pets he looked after were dogs belonging to Coronation Street actors.
Known affectionately as Dr Doolittle, Bailey dedicated much of his life to animals. At 18, he established a sanctuary in Hambleton, near his home in Blackpool, Lancashire.
His passion for animal welfare began after he rescued a rat named Hugo. He later opened the facility to rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs and birds, naming the charity Hugo’s Small Animal Sanctuary.
Bailey’s dog-grooming clients included Daniel Brocklebank, the actor who plays vicar Billy Mayhew in Coronation Street.
However, financial difficulties eventually led to Bailey being evicted from the sanctuary site. The inquest at Blackpool Town Hall heard that the upheaval was followed by a wave of online abuse and harassment.
The messages had a profound effect on Bailey. In the 12 weeks before his death, he made five suicide attempts, the hearing was told.
He was later found dead at home after recording a farewell video addressed to his mother, sister and uncle.
Bailey Lister was a successful dog groomer who cared for pets belonging to Coronation Street stars
Recording a conclusion of suicide, coroner Louise Rae said Bailey had not experienced significant mental health problems before December of the previous year. His condition then deteriorated amid financial pressures and a torrent of online criticism.
Ms Rae said: ‘Bailey had a deep concern for animals and devoted a significant amount of his time to their care.
‘He had run an animal sanctuary, and many of his hopes for the future were connected to working with animals.’
She added: ‘In the months before his death, Bailey faced difficulties relating to the sanctuary, together with the additional pressure of online criticism.
‘The evidence shows that Bailey was distressed by the criticism directed at the sanctuary. These issues were discussed with both police and mental health professionals.’
In describing the suicide attempts that followed, Ms Rae referred to Bailey’s words that ‘things had become too much’.
Mental health teams became involved, identifying financial worries and online harassment among the factors affecting his wellbeing.
With support from mental health professionals, Bailey’s condition later improved. He was looking forward to time with his animals and family, had recently passed his driving test and hoped to begin work at a zoo and as a dog warden.
Animal lover Bailey ran a rescue facility that later encountered financial and operational difficulties, while he also faced online abuse
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Bailey Lister’s brother shared this Facebook memorial post in his memory
However, the coroner said, in February, he received further threats and again experienced suicidal thoughts.
On 6 May, Bailey Snapchatted with his former partner Adam Latham, with whom he still lived, asking if they could rekindle their relationship. They both decided to move on, the inquest heard.
Mr Latham arrived at their Blackpool home, the following morning, to find Bailey’s body. He immediately called the police.
Det Insp Chris Hammond, senior investigating officer for Lancashire Police, told the inquest that Bailey had reported online harassment and his allegations were being investigated at the time of his death and as to whether the messages amounted to a criminal offence.
The officer said: ‘We would never be able to prove, to a criminal standard, that those messages were a substantial reason for Bailey’s death.’
He described some of the messages as ‘extremely critical’ of Bailey and ‘very critical of his running of the animal sanctuary’.
Speaking after the case, Bailey’s family said he was a huge Coronation Street fan and his ex-partner had proposed to him on the set of the soap.
His mother Leanne Lister, 41, said: ‘He started grooming for some of the soap stars in Manchester. He was so proud about that. He always did a very good job.’
But she added: ‘This group of women accused Bailey of all sorts, fraud and animal cruelty. It was relentless.
‘Bailey even turned himself in because it was all lies. He had done nothing wrong.
‘He loved animals, he would never harm them. He did not deserve the cowardly online bullying he endured.’
Ms Lister said she, Bailey’s sister Kadie, 20, and his uncle Luke Lister, 39, attended the inquest on Thursday, but remain dissatisfied with the police investigation into the cyber-bullying.
She added: ‘We would want a proper police investigation carried out against that group, but we think that now it is not going to happen.’
The family believes that Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Trust, which was responsible for his care, and Lancashire Constabulary should have liaised about the impact of online abuse on his mental state.
Each organisation was aware of the other’s involvement but chose not to communicate between themselves, she said.
Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Trust and Lancashire Constabulary were contacted for comment.
For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or thecalmzone.net
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