Olivia Martinez, who was 29 when she died, lost both her grandfather and mother to the neurodegenerative disorder, for which there is currently no cure.

She had started to undergo tests to see whether she would develop it, posting online that she was doing so because she wanted to know what the implications were if she were to have children of her own.

However, she did not complete the process before her death, with her family saying she had been unsure if she was ready to face the prospect.

Olivia Martinez (Image: Supplied by family)

An inquest into her death, held this week, was told she had struggled with mental ill health since the age of 16.

That was the year she learned her family carried the gene for the inherited condition. Her grandfather, Tim, was suffering from it at the time and later died.

The fatal condition, symptoms of which typically start in adults over the age of 30, causes nerve cells in the brain to decay.

Miss Martinez had seen the effects of the disease close up on her mother, Traz, who had died in April 2024, in her mid 50s.

Norfolk Coroner's Court heard that Miss Martinez's mental health had worsened in the weeks leading up to Mother's Day last year, the first since her mother's death.

Her body was discovered at her home in Waddington Street, Norwich, on May 5.

Olivia Martinez with her father (Image: Supplied by family)

A toxicology report revealed she had taken drugs that caused “significant sedative effects” and had also consumed alcohol. Her cause of death was given as self strangulation.

Her father, Vincent Martinez, said his daughter - who worked as a mental health worker - had struggled with her own mental health for years, a result of both fears over having the condition and guilt over family members succumbing to it.

“The loss of her mother a year earlier hit her incredibly hard," he said.

"Her grief was deep and ongoing, and she reached out repeatedly for help. She told me, and she told services how desperate she felt. I could see how much she was fighting to stay safe, and how urgently she needed support."

Vincent Martinez (Image: Newsquest)

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Miss Martinez had been an ambassador for Huntington's Disease Youth Organisation (HDYO) and had described online the devastating impact it had had on her family in an effort to raise awareness about the harrowing condition.

As a child, her grandfather's diagnosis had been kept from her but she described being told the news by her mother as a teenager.

Miss Martinez also posted online about her mother's ordeal. She started to display symptoms in her 40s and had to be moved into a care home before her death in her mid 50s.

Following Miss Martinez's own death a fund was set up in her memory, the HDYO's Olivia (Liv) Martinez Scholarship Fund.

It has already raised thousands of pounds to support a placement for a young person to attend the organisation's 2027 Congress, an event designed by young people affected by Huntington’s disease.

Mr Martinez said his daughter's death had highlighted "serious gaps" in the care available for people struggling with their mental health.

Throughout the years she was offered support from several services, including Change Grow Live, community mental health teams and the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT), the NHS body responsible for mental health care.

She was later diagnosed with Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder and had also suffered with anorexia and later bulimia, before eventually abusing alcohol and taking cocaine.

Despite these struggles, her ultimate goal in life was to help others.

Olivia Martinez died at her home earlier this month (Image: Submitted)

Miss Martinez had worked for three years as a peer support worker with NSFT to support others who had experienced mental health challenges by using her own personal experiences.

Soon after landing what she described as her “dream job”, Miss Martinez recorded a video with Norfolk and Waveney Mind to help inspire others.

Mr Martinez said: “My daughter was a bright, compassionate, young woman with a remarkable gift for understanding and supporting others.

“She was deeply committed to helping people who were struggling.

"Even when she was unwell herself, she cared about others and wanted to make a difference.

"She hoped to develop her skills further and become a mental health professional in the future.

“Liv was not just a patient. She was my daughter – a young woman with enormous potential, a caring heart and a future she wanted to build.

"She deserved safety, compassion and timely support.

“I am speaking out because I believe there were serious gaps in the system. These gaps had real consequences for Liv.

“I do not want any other family to experience this kind of loss. Liv’s life mattered. Her death must lead to meaningful change in how vulnerable people are supported when they ask for help.”

Olivia Martinez (Image: Supplied by family)

Sharing her condolences with Miss Martinez’s family, area coroner Yvonne Blake recorded a short narrative conclusion.

She said: “Olivia Martinez did take her own life but she was under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time of her death which would have interfered with her ability to understand and/or intend the consequences of her actions.”

Area coroner Yvonne Blake (Image: Denise Bradley)

LEAVING BEHIND A LEGACY

The death of his daughter inspired Mr Martinez to change careers in order to raise awareness of suicide prevention.

He gave up his work as a teacher to become a mental health home carer in memory of her memory.

He said her death had “probably changed me as a person” and turned his hand to helping others.

Olivia Martinez with her old dog Poppy (Image: Submitted)

Along with his new career, Mr Martinez hopes to promote discussion around Huntington’s disease.

The condition, which has similarities with Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, tends to manifest itself in middle age.

He said: “You can become paranoid, lose your coordination, not remember people; it’s a very poor place to be.”

He has also organised bereavement walks for families and friends touched by suicide loss and Huntington’s disease.

The next event will be at 11am on April 18 at Blickling Hall, near Aylsham.

“If anybody is interested then they can contact me on my Facebook, Vincent Martinez,” he added. “I’d be very pleased to welcome you.”

He hopes the walks will become semi-regular with the aim of encouraging talking.

A SEA OF PINK FOR A FUNERAL

Hundreds turned out to witness a sea of pink as they paid their final goodbyes to the "kind and passionate" advocate.

Miss Martinez’s funeral took place on July 11 last year at St Faith's Crematorium in Horsham St Faith, north of the city.

Family members arrive with the horse-drawn hearse at the Horsham St Faiths Crematorium for the funeral of Olivia 'Liv' Martinez. (Image: Denise Bradley)

More than 100 people attended in person and as many more watched via a live stream – testament to the many whose lives she touched.

Mourners dressed in various shades of pink – Miss Martinez’s “signature colour” – and watched as she arrived in a white horse-drawn carriage inside a coffin embellished in pink plumes and decorated with white flowers.

Mr Martinez thanked everyone who attended the service, adding: “From the depths of my heart, thank you to all the beautiful souls who joined us to honour my daughter.

The funeral of Olivia 'Liv' Martinez at Horsham St Faiths Crematorium. (Image: Denise Bradley)

"Your presence, your kindness and your love meant more than words can express.

“The white horse-drawn carriage adorned with soft pink plumes carried her not only through the streets, but into the hearts of everyone who saw it. It was a reflection of her gentle strength, her radiant spirit and the joy she brought to the world.

“In the silence between tears and the comfort of shared memories, you reminded me that Liv touched more lives than I ever knew.

“I will forever carry that with me."

The order of service was also filled with dozens of heartfelt tributes from her family, friends and colleagues.

The funeral of Olivia 'Liv' Martinez at Horsham St Faiths Crematorium. (Image: Denise Bradley)

TRIBUTES TO SOMEONE ‘LOVED BY SO MANY’

Following her death, Miss Martinez’s sister was one of the first people to pay tribute to her.

Sharing a tribute with this newspaper, Serena Crofts described her as “a kind caring young woman” who was “loved by so many people”.

She added: “Anyone who knew Liv, knew that she brightened up any room she was in. Whether that be by making funny TikTok [videos] or just being herself.

“Tragically, Liv lost her battle with her mental health and took her own life. This is something Olivia had been dealing with for over a decade.

“She has left a big hole in so many people's lives.”

Cath Byford (Image: Newsquest)

Cath Byford, NSFT’s deputy chief executive, said: “Olivia has been described by colleagues as a very kind person who was passionate about helping other service users and helping other people through her own experiences during her three years working with us as a peer support worker.

"She will be very sadly missed and remembered by her colleagues and all who knew her. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time.”

Olivia Martinez (Image: Supplied by family)

The team at Norfolk and Waveney Mind also paid tribute via a statement.

“We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Olivia, a former service user who generously shared her story through a case study video on our website,” it said.

“Her openness and courage in speaking about her mental health journey touched many and helped others feel less alone.

“We are honoured to have been a part of her story and grateful for the impact she made by sharing her experience.

“Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and all who knew her during this difficult time.”

To read all obituaries and tributes join the Facebook group Norfolk's Loved & Lost.

Samaritans can be reached 24/7 on 116 123 for completely confidential support and advice, or Papyrus charity for the prevention of young suicide on 0800 068 4141.

The NHS First Response Service is available 24/7 on 111 option 2, providing urgent mental health support for people in Norfolk and Suffolk.

© Norwich Evening News