Tragedy of “thoughtful and decent” south Norfolk teenager who killed himself on family holiday
A “thoughtful and decent” teenager was found hanged by his uncle while on a family holiday, an inquest heard.
John Roberts-Aikens, from Tharston, near Long Stratton, died at the family château in Sarrians, southern France, on August 6, 2012.
The inquest heard that the 17-year-old, who had been troubled by the death of his mother several years earlier, had been seeing a psychologist, but stopped in April last year after his condition improved.
The psychologist, Dr Russell Wharton, submitted a report which was read to the court, describing John as a “thoughtful and decent young man” who wanted to resolve his problems as “having a good relationship with his family was important to him.”
According to John’s uncle, celebrity chef Tom Aikens, the day before his death, the Wymondham College student had been “happy, chatty, and in a very good mood”, playing in the swimming pool and joining in conversation.
John lived with his father, Mark, stepmother, Anna, sister, Lulu, and stepsister, Harriet, in The Street.
John’s father told the inquest, concluded by assistant deputy coroner David Osbourne in Norwich this morning, that John had not made any previous attempts on his life, as far as he was aware.
The death was recorded as suicide by hanging.
People can call or email Samaritans 24 hours a day, every day of the year on 08457 909090, or jo@samaritans.org
For more on the story, see the March 22 edition of the Diss Express.
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Tuesday 21 May 2013
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