Bridgend teenager hanged himself after telling ex-girlfriend he would 'kill himself and it was her fault'

A teenager was found hanging shortly after telling his ex-girlfriend he was going to kill himself and it was all her fault, an inquest heard today.

Nathaniel Pritchard, 15, had been in a relationship with the girl for eight months but it had recently ended, the inquest in Merthyr Tydfil was told.

Nathaniel, of Ystrad Fawr, Cefn Glas, Bridgend, had been in Bridgend town centre with his sister, Mellissa, on February 13, Detective Inspector Jason Redrup said.

In the early evening, he had a conversation with his ex-girlfriend on his computer, using instant messaging service MSN, and she told him she was seeing another boy.

Mr Redrup said Nathaniel ended the conversation by telling the girl to go off with her new boyfriend, adding: "I'm going to kill myself and it will be your fault."

The inquest heard that Nathaniel went to his bedroom in the loft of the house. When his ex-girlfriend called him on the telephone a short time later, his younger brother, Connor, took the phone upstairs, where he found him hanging.

Nathaniel's parents cut him down and he was taken to the Princess of Wales Hospital where he was put on a life-support machine.

He died on February 15, the same day his cousin, Kelly Stephenson, was found hanging while on holiday in Kent.

An inquest into her death was opened and adjourned yesterday.

Bridgend Coroner Philip Walters said the provisional cause of Nathaniel's death was multiple organ failure and hanging.

An inquest was also opened into the death of 16-year-old Jenna Parry, whose body was found hanging in Cefn Cribbrw on Tuesday.

Her death brings the total number of young people from the area thought to have killed themselves since January 2007 to 17.

Mr Redrup said Jenna, who had also recently split up from her partner, had a history of self-harm and had previously attempted to take her life at least twice, by attempting to take overdoses.

Mr Redrup said: "She had recently split from her boyfriend and found it difficult to accept that. She struggled to rekindle the relationship."

He added that Jenna had been taking cannabis and prescribed drugs. Hanging was given as a provisional cause of death.

Both inquests were adjourned to be concluded at a later date.

• What parents can do to help

Charities have urged parents of teenage children to remain vigilant.

The Samaritans said youngsters most at risk included those who appeared withdrawn or who seemed to be bottling up their problems.

Parents should try to get their children to talk about their concerns at all costs, it said.

The charity Papyrus, which is committed to suicide prevention, said other warning signs in teenagers included being tearful, finding it hard to sleep and suffering from eating problems.

A spokesman for the charity said: "Parental intuition can be the key to spotting it. A lot of these parents might be thinking:

"These are just signs of a typical teenager".

"In many cases that may be true, but if you are in any doubt, give us a call for a chat."

Papyrus encourages parents who are concerned about the mental well-being of a teenage son and daughter to:

■ Listen to what they say, don't be judgmental. Say that you love them and care about them, no matter what.

■ If they won't talk to you, maybe they would talk to a friend or sibling, or perhaps write down how they feel. Reassure them that this happens to others.

■ Encourage them to go to the GP or counselling service if there is one. Offer to go with them.

The charity urges teenagers who are feeling suicidal to tell someone they trust about how they are feeling.

It says: "This could be someone in your family, your doctor, a teacher, the school nurse, college counsellor, or someone from your church.

"If you reach a suicidal crisis where the desire to kill yourself is overwhelming, you must tell someone. Ask them to keep you company until the feelings pass."

The Bridgend branch of Samaritans can be reached on 01656 662333. Childline can be contacted on 0800 1111 and Papyrus, specialists in preventing young suicide, can be reached on 01282 432555.