Sally Brampton: Daily Mail agony aunt who wrote about her depression found dead in sea
An agony aunt for the Daily Mail - who spoke publicly about her battle with depression - has died after apparently walking into the sea.
Sally Brampton, 60, was seen going into the sea near her home in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, friends said.
Her body was pulled ashore on Tuesday afternoon.
The journalist, who detailed her fight against depression in her memoir Shoot The Damn Dog, was described as "smart, tough and stylish" by former colleagues.
She was the launch editor of British Elle magazine at the age of just 30 in 1985 and wrote an advice column for the Daily Mail.
Lorraine Candy, the current British Elle editor-in-chief, described her as a "kickass boss" in a touching tribute.
Susan Ward Davies, who worked with Brampton on the launch of Elle in 1985, said she was a "dynamic and very inspiring leader".
"Looking back, the Elle girl that Sally invented was such an optimistic role model, such an aspirational character and such a free spirit that you could never imagine the person who created her could have been afflicted with depression," she said.
Another former colleague, Ian Birch, said Brampton was "as tough as nails" and had "immaculate taste and a wicked sense of humour".
"But above all, she was generous and loyal."
Guardian journalist Kathryn Flett said Brampton would be remembered for her humour, courage and wisdom.
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