Stonehouse woman (24) found dead near her home

Dec 3 2009 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

THE heartbroken family of a young woman found dead near her county home told this week how she had everything to live for.

Mandy Lindsay had just moved into a new house with her fiance Tony Goodall and they were planning to get married on June 11, 2011.

Her family knew something was wrong when Mandy, who had suffered from depression in the past, went missing from her work in Glasgow last Tuesday.

Their worst fears were confirmed later that evening when a family friend found the 24-year-old’s body on the back road between Stonehouse and Kirkmuirhill.

Police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death.

Her father Dougie, mum Sandra, older sister Vicki (26) and Tony have been left shattered by Mandy’s death.

Hundreds of mourners will attend her funeral at St Ninian’s Church, Stonehouse, (tomorrow) at 11.30am.

Family and friends described popular Mandy as “happy-go- lucky” and “a ray of sunshine”.

Service and sales representative Tony (25), of Brankston Avenue, Stonehouse, said: “She was a wonderful person and we were looking forward to getting married.

“We got engaged at T in the Park in 2007. All the memories I have of Mandy are of good times.

“She so much wanted to buy the house we have together and she was on the estate agents website every day hoping that it wasn’t sold.

“The day we bought the house she was so happy and danced around the living room. She fought and defeated depression four years ago. She tried to fight it again.”

Sister Vicki, who lives in Staffordshire, said: “People who knew Mandy will find it hard to understand what happened to her because she had a happy life.

“It wasn’t triggered by financial difficulties or a relationship breakdown. She had everything to look forward to, was happy with her life and had made plans for the future.

“My sister had an illness and was battling it. No-one outside the family circle would have known that she had suffered from depression.”

Mandy was born and bred in Stonehouse. She gained a job only a few weeks ago as a psychology research assistant with Glasgow University and was based at Gartnavel Hospital.

She was a former pupil of Newfield Primary and Strathaven Academy.

While growing up, she was a member of the 1st Girls’ Brigade in Stonehouse and was also a member of Strathaven basketball team.

Mandy graduated in the summer from Strathclyde University with a first-class honours degree in Psychology, and was presented with the psychology student of the year award.

She worked with the Richmond Fellowship and had worked in the Cafe Q chip shop in Strathaven’s Common Green since she was 16.

The owner of the chip shop said that he thought of Mandy as part of his family and is devastated by her death.

Dad Dougie said: “Mandy was a high achiever and a well-liked student at university. Some of her classmates came out to see us and we were very touched by that. No-one had a bad word to say about her.

“Mandy was a perfectionist. She passed every exam with flying colours.

“She had just started her first proper job and the world was her oyster.

“She was looking forward to being an aunt and had bought Christmas presents for the baby. But she went downhill so quickly – within a week.

“She had been to see her doctor to stop the downward spiral. He had suggested a week off but, being as determined as she was, Mandy went back to work on the Monday. She just couldn’t get out of that black hole.”

The family have set up a charity website in memory of Mandy and have raised over £6000 in just a few days.

All the money raised will go to Depression Alliance who are a UK charity helping people with depression.

“Mandy always wanted to help people with mental and physical illnesses,” he added. “We have asked family and friends not to spend any money on flowers at her funeral and to donate money to the website. Depression is an illness and we want to help others in a similar position to Mandy.

“We are so overwhelmed with the response to the website and people’s generosity.”

People can donate to the website by going to www.justgiving.com/supermandy

lAnyone who wishes to speak to someone at Depression Alliance Scotland should contact them on 0835 1232320 (Mon-Fri, 11-1pm and 2-4pm).

Breathing Space is a free and confidential phone-line service for any individual, who is experiencing low mood or depression.

They can be contacted on 0800 83 85 87 (6pm - 2am daily and 24hrs weekends).