The mother of former Love Island host Caroline Flack has released her late daughter's final, unpublished Instagram post revealing how the star's world had "collapsed" around her.
Flack, 40, was found dead in her East London home on Saturday (local time), two months after she was charged with assaulting her boyfriend, tennis player Lewis Burton.
The TV presenter's mother Chris has spoken out for the first time since her daughter's death. Speaking to the Eastern Daily Press, she described Flack as being "surrounded by love" and revealed her final, unseen Instagram post.
"It was describing how she was feeling and what she had gone through - no more than that," Chris told the outlet.
The post detailed how Flack felt her "whole word and future" was swept from under her feet.
"All the walls that I had taken so long to build around me, collapsed," the 40-year-old wrote.
On the condition that she did not contact Burton, Flack was released on bail after pleading not guilty to the charges on December 23.
Despite her lawyer telling the court that Burton, 27, did not support the prosecution, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided to proceed with the case. Flack was due to stand trial on March 4.
Chris said the decision was "too much" for her daughter. The CPS has also been criticised by Flack's management for pressing ahead with the "show trial" despite Burton's requests to drop the case and Flack's vulnerability.
The 40-year-old's post, which she sent to her mother in the days before her death, described the December 12 incident as an "accident" and claimed she was "not a domestic abuser".
"I'm not thinking about 'how I'm going to get my career back.' I'm thinking about how I'm going to get mine and my family's life back," Flack wrote.
"So many untruths were out there but this is how she felt and my family and I would like people to read her own words," Chris told the Eastern Daily Press.
Local media say the CPS has since implied "other evidence" played into its decision to proceed with the case, as well as it being in the "public interest".
Love Island's Monday episode paid tribute to Flack, with narrator Iain Stirling making a heartfelt plea for people to "be kinder, always show love and listen to one another".
An inquest into Flack's death opened on Wednesday morning (UK time).
Flack's full Instagram post as published by the Eastern Daily Press is as follows:
"For a lot of people, being arrested for common assault is an extreme way to have some sort of spiritual awakening but for me it's become the normal.
"I've been pressing the snooze button on many stresses in my life - for my whole life. I've accepted shame and toxic opinions on my life for over 10 years and yet told myself it's all part of my job. No complaining.
"The problem with brushing things under the carpet is .... they are still there and one day someone is going to lift that carpet up and all you are going to feel is shame and embarrassment.
"On December the 12th 2019 I was arrested for common assault on my boyfriend ...Within 24 hours my whole world and future was swept from under my feet and all the walls that I had taken so long to build around me, collapsed. I am suddenly on a different kind of stage and everyone is watching it happen.
"I have always taken responsibility for what happened that night. Even on the night. But the truth is .... It was an accident.
"I've been having some sort of emotional breakdown for a very long time.
"But I am NOT a domestic abuser. We had an argument and an accident happened. An accident. The blood that someone SOLD to a newspaper was MY blood and that was something very sad and very personal.
"The reason I am talking today is because my family can't take anymore. I've lost my job. My home. My ability to speak. And the truth has been taken out of my hands and used as entertainment.
"I can't spend every day hidden away being told not to say or speak to anyone. I'm so sorry to my family for what I have brought upon them and for what my friends have had to go through.
"I'm not thinking about 'how I'm going to get my career back.' I'm thinking about how I'm going to get mine and my family's life back. I can't say anymore than that."
Where to find help and support:
Shine (domestic violence) - 0508 744 633
Women's Refuge - 0800 733 843 (0800 REFUGE)
Need to Talk? - Call or text 1737
What's Up - 0800 WHATS UP (0800 942 8787)
Lifeline - 0800 543 354 or (09) 5222 999 within Auckland
Youthline - 0800 376 633, text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat
Samaritans - 0800 726 666
Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757
Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
Shakti Community Council - 0800 742 584
