A Luton teenager took her own life less than a month before turning 18, an inquest heard yesterday.
Leigha Edwards was found hanged in her wardrobe by her sister at their home in Wedgewood Road less than two weeks before Christmas.
Beds Coroner Tom Osborne said that Leigha had no history of mental illness, but had been encouraged to visit the doctors by her boyfriend where she complained of feeling anxious and depressed –emotions caused by a difficult relationship with her previous boyfriend. However, the teenager, who worked as a care assistant, denied having any suicidal thoughts.
After the inquest, when asked what she would say to others with suicidal thoughts, Leigha’s mum, Paula Embleton, said: “They just need to speak to their mum. She kept all that stuff very secret.”
Recording a verdict of suicide, Mr Osborne told Leigha’s family: “I would like to express my condolences for these sad and tragic circumstances.
“Unfortunately there appears to be something in the mind of young people when there’s almost a failure to realise if you’re dead today, you’re dead tomorrow. But here, Leigha thought this was a solution, and a quick solution.
“Tomorrow when you wake up, try to remember all the happier memories you have.”