Teenager killed herself after being teased 'because she was poor', inquest hears

The coroner said she searched websites for suicide methods hours before she died

Ashleigh Bowes was treated for an eating disorder and depression in 2013 (MEN)

A teenager wrote a note to friends, who she said teased her about her depression, anorexia and "because she was poor" before taking her own life, an inquest heard.

Ashleigh Bowes, 14, a pupil at Fallibroome Academy, was found dead in her bedroom in Macclesfield on 30 August last year. An inquest at Warrington Town Hall found she killed herself by taking a fatal dose of a prescription drug used to treat anxiety.

Coroner Alan Moore said he made the decision because Ashleigh searched websites for suicide methods hours before she died and made a video and wrote notes which said what she intended to do, the Macclesfield Express reports.

The note addressed to friends was found in her bedroom, the court heard.

"I thought you would understand," it read. "I can't stand it. You were so rude the other day. When I left the park I cried. I was losing my friends. Depression hurts. Anorexia hurts. It's nothing to joke about. Words kill."

She added: "Taking the p*ss out of my food and my mum. We are poor. We can't have the big brands like you do. Count yourself lucky that you are so blessed. I am blessed. It is not funny to take the p*ss out of anorexia. Every time you teased it hurt. Watch your words."

Her mother, Susan Bowes, told the inquest Ashleigh had started becoming unwell around a year before. She said she heard voices in her head "telling her not to eat", The Daily Mail reports.

She was later prescribed anti-depressants and referred to treatment for an eating disorder and depression in November 2013.

Mrs Bowes said the night before her death, Ashleigh put her pet rabbit away, kissed her mother goodnight and went up to bed.

“There were no evidence that day about what she had been planning, no way her mum or anyone else could have been aware of that. There were no clear indications in the five months before her death that she intended to take her own life," Coroner Alan Moore said, the Manchester Evening News reports.

After the inquest, Ashleigh’s mother said: “I’m stunned there were no reports on how this can be prevented in the future, but I’m glad I have fought for Ashleigh in this inquest. The main thing is that things can be improved so that this doesn’t happen to any other children.

“The important thing here is that parents need to take responsibility for what their children are doing. It may seem like minor teasing but to a teenager it can be really serious and it needs to be stopped.”

The Samaritans provides a free support service for those who need to talk to someone. It can be contacted through Samaritans.org or on 08457 90 90 90, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.