A MUM who found her teenage daughter hanged after coming home with a McDonald’s for her says the youngster’s death was a “cry for help”.
Alison Jones jokingly shouted “waitress service” seconds before she found 13-year-old Chantelle dead in her bedroom in Wrexham, Wales, an inquest heard.
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A coroner yesterday said he couldn’t be sure Chantelle had meant to take her own life.
“I know I will never get the answers I want as to why I lost the most precious thing in my life,” Mrs Jones said.
“She was just a teenager getting on with her life and doing what all teenagers do.
“We had a close relationship and she knew she could come to me and dad and talk about anything.”
She said she believes Chantelle had no intention of dying.
“I just don’t think she meant to do it,” she said.
“I think it was a cry for help and she thought we would be there.”
Tragically, coroner John Gittins said he’d heard two inquests on the same day involving youngsters who died from hanging – and couldn’t be sure either of the children had meant to harm themselves.
Recording a conclusion of misadventure, he said: “We have a deliberate act with unforeseen consequences arising from it.”
I will never get the answers I want as to why I lost the most precious thing in my life
Mum Alison Jones
And he told Mr and Mrs Jones: “I just wish I knew what she had in her mind so you could have proper closure.
“It doesn’t seem enough to offer my condolences.
“Everyone involved in this did all they possibly could. It’s very, very sad.”
Chantelle, an only child, loved going to school and language lessons, the inquest heard.
She wanted to join the Army as a nurse.
In 2019, she was referred to a mental health service after self-harming. However, her contact with the team lasted for just a week, and she hadn’t hurt herself since.
“She had a lot going for her, a family who loved her, and all the support in the world,” Mr Gittins said.
“There’s not sufficient evidence to reach a conclusion of suicide.
“My belief is it wasn’t intended to end her life.”
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You’re not alone
Every 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
- Movember, www.uk.movember.com
- Anxiety UK www.anxietyuk.org.uk, 03444 775 774 Monday-Friday 9.30am-10pm, Saturday/Sunday 10am-8pm
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Source: The Sun
