'Brilliant' Oxford graduate found hanged after stomach upset

James Shoesmith, 23, who was fluent in four languages, had just started work teaching senior pupils at a high school.

But he had to take time off work last month when he suffered a severe upset stomach and when he was unable to shake the illness he became deeply depressed.

Mr Shoesmith - the son of a building society chief executive - was found by his mother hanging at their luxury home in Burnley, Lancashire.

Yesterday he was were being comforted as investigation was being conducted into the tragic death of the popular young man.

Mr Shoesmith, who got four As at A level and 11 A*s at GCSE was a former headboy, and was described as "remarkable" by those who knew him.

His death has devastated pupils and colleagues at Haslingden High School where his mother, Valerie, is head of music.

His father Neil, 60, chief executive of the Marsden Building Society, said: "James was suffering from clinical depression and that was deeply-rooted.

"He had no experience of it for many, many months prior to that.

"The tragedy of the situation is that somebody who could offer so much had to deal with a depression which must have been rooted in chemical imbalance.

"Why else would somebody like him be depressed? Before his death he had three weeks of clinical depression, which started with a stomach upset and developed into that."

He said: James, what taught law and history at Haslingden High School in Haslingden, Lancashire where his mother Valerie, is head of music, was described as an inspiration by his devastated father.

He said: "I focus my life on the future from now on. James will always be an inspiration to me and I can live with that.

"He really was the best. It's very clear from the tributes made, not only by his former headmaster, his tutors at Oxford, his friends and his pupils was that James had inimitable style.

"He used his natural gifts to excellent effect - his intelligence, consideration and kindness will be remembered by all those who knew him."

A former headboy of Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Blackburn, Mr Shoesmith achieved a 2:1 degree in law with French law at the Queen's College, Oxford.

During his time at university he was the deputy returning officer for both Oxford University Conservative Association and the students' union.

He was a talented sportsman, representing his school and university at sports including football, cricket, tennis and badminton.

Though his contemporaries believed he would become a lawyer, Mr Shoesmith - who spoke fluent French, German and Spanish, chose teaching because he wanted to benefit others.

Eve Challinger, headteacher, said: "He was a brilliant form tutor and had such a wonderful enthusiasm for the school and the students.

"He started the school's first debating society, which competed successfully in national competitions. James will be missed terribly by his colleagues and students at the school."

James's former headmaster, Dr David Hempsall, said: 'James was a remarkable young man. A fine scholar, an outstanding head of school and a thoroughly engaging individual.

"He was both liked and respected by everyone, staff and students alike. James made a deep and positive impression on all those of us who were privileged to know him."

An inquest into his death has been opened and adjourned.