Bridgend suicide toll hits 19 as another teenager is found hanged

Sean Rees was discovered by his family in a lane in Bridgend after he went missing during a night out with friends.

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Sean, 19, a supermarket worker, was described by friends as "happy-go-lucky and always smiling".

Family friend Christopher Michaelides said: "This is so tragic but I cannot work out why this happened.

"He had everything to live for - and was always so cheerful.

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"He had just passed his driving test, had a decent job working in Sainsbury's and was a very popular-young man.

"But yet again here in Bridgend we are mourning the loss of another young life. We just keep on asking why."

Sean was found at 7.30am yesterday in a lane at the rear of a friend's house on the Bettws estate in the South Wales town.

It is understood he had row with friends before storming off.

He is the 19th person aged under 27 to be hanged in the area since the start of last year.

The most recent was Michelle Sheldon, 23, at the nearby Cefn Glas estate, who died on April 9 after three days on life support.

Police have stressed they have found no evidence of a suicide pact.

But at an inquest last month coroner Philip Walters called for a national strategy to prevent further suicides in Wales.

And a special task force has been set up in Bridgend involving police and social services.

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Mr Michaelides, who is also a Labour councillor for Bettws, said: "More needs to be done to stop any more of these tragic losses of young lives."

Sean's parents Tracey and Byron Rees were yesterday being comforted at their home.

The couple, who have two other children, were described as "devastated" and too upset to comment.

The Bridgend Samaritans can be reached on 01656 662333, or at 2 Green Street, Bridgend, or email jo@samaritans.org.

Childline can be contacted on 0800 1111 and Papyrus, specialists in preventing young suicide, can be reached on 01282 432555.