Investigation and inquest
On 8/11/2016 I commenced an investigation into the death of Annabel Mae LEWIS aged 15. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 8/3/2017. The conclusion of the inquest was Suicide and the cause of death 1a Asphyxia, 1b External airways obstruction.
Circumstances of the death
The deceased had been anxious and suffering from low self-esteem for some time. She was concerned about her weight. There had been some recent family relationship difficulties and she experienced peer pressure at school relating to a stormy relationship that she had with her boyfriend. She had been referred to child and adult mental health services (CAMHS) in November 2015 by her GP but that referral was not accepted. She was referred again by her school on the 20th October 2016. The following day she had contact with the CAMHS team who offered her an appointment which she declined because of difficulty accessing the venue. On the 4th November 2016 the CAMHS team attempted unsuccessfully to contact the school referrer. On the same day her family perceived that she returned home from school unhappy. At about 1700 hours she went to her bedroom at her home address, ████████ saying she had a migraine. At 1710 hours she received a text from her boyfriend saying he wished to end their relationship. At 1713 hours they spoke on the phone and she indicated to him that she was going to kill herself. At about 2200 hours her father went to her bedroom and found her on the bedroom floor with a plastic bag over her head tied underneath her chin. She was certified dead at the scene.
Coroner’s concerns
(1) At the inquest it was evident that Annabel had been referred by her GP to your team in November 2015 but that referral had not been accepted. She was referred again on 20/10/2016 by her school. This time the referral was accepted and your team made contact with her by telephone on 21/10/2016. She declined an appointment because she felt she could not get to the venue. No level of risk was recorded and next of kin details were not available. The date of appointment offered and declined were not recorded. Alternative time for appointment was not recorded. No follow up arrangements were recorded.
There was no attempt to contact Annabel thereafter. An unsuccessful attempt to contact the referrer was made on 4/11/2016- the day Annabel took her own life.
The time period between referral and initial contact and attempted follow up appears considerable.
No attempt appears to have been made to engage with her parents who would have been in a position to assist with transport arrangements.
The expectation that young people such as Annabel would 'opt in 'to the system may be unrealistic given the difficulties that she had in engaging.
Annabel might well have benefitted had she been offered a more proactive service.