'If I keep writing this, it hasn't worked': Tragic suicide note left by bullied schoolgirl, 13

Cherelle Ardle's lifeless body was found by stepfather Dale Evans in her bedroom at her home in Kennard Street, Ton Pentre, South Wales, on the evening of December 3 last year.

She wrote a suicide note on a blank page of a maths exercise book.

The note, found on the top of a bunk bed, ended with the words: 'I'm about to hang myself.

'If I keep writing after this, it hasn't worked.'

Thirteen year old Cherelle Ardle who was found dead at home in Ton Pentre, South Wales.

Despite efforts to resuscitate Cherelle, she was pronounced dead at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, Llantrisant, that night.

The inquest in Miskin, South Wales, heard Cherelle went to her bedroom that night after a row with her mother Deborah over missing money from a money box in the house, which she eventually admitted taking.

Detective Inspector Nigel Cottle said Treorchy Comprehensive school pupil Cherelle, who had behavioural problems, had been involved in a 'large number' of bullying incidents, in which she was usually the victim but occasionally the aggressor.

In a statement to police, her mother spoke of concerns about the bullying and said she felt it 'impacted on Cherelle's quality of life'.

Trudy Robinson, a respite foster carer who looked after Cherelle one weekend every month, told the inquest: 'She was having extreme bullying at school.'

She said Cherelle had been dragged downstairs, thrown in a cupboard, and was taken to hospital on more than one occasion.

She described Cherelle as 'exceptionally gifted academically and beautiful to look at', adding: 'She was a joy to look after.'

Mr Evans told the inquest he had picked Cherelle up from school early on the day she died, as she was having 'trouble' that day.

The inquest also heard Cherelle was involved in a relationship with an older man, which Coroner Philip Walters said is subject to an ongoing investigation by South Wales Police.

Cherelle's mother, Mrs Evans, tearfully told the inquest: 'Cherelle couldn't help the way she was with her aggression. We tried for years to get her help.'

She said her daughter had been due to see a specialist about self-harming, which she started at the age of nine, once she turned 14.

The coroner told her he didn't think Cherelle's behavioural problems were 'a major issue', and said: 'I don't think you should blame yourselves.'

He added that he did not believe the 'spat' about money that night was a factor in Cherelle's death.

Mr Walters recorded an open verdict, saying: 'I really don't know why this has happened. It might be due to one thing, it might be due to a number of things.

'What I am satisfied is that I honestly don't think that this young lady intended to end her own life.'

Mr Walters, who is also coroner for the Bridgend area which has seen a spate of hangings of young people over the past 18 months, said: 'People of this age don't realise how quickly it happens.'

He went on: 'This has to go out as a warning to young people. If you tie a ligature around your neck it takes as little as five seconds to render you unconscious.

'Thereafter, death can occur any time up to quarter-of-an-hour.

'I'm concerned that people are not aware that this is the case.

'If you go down this route, this is final. There is no coming back from this.

'"In my mind, having read the note she left, I am convinced this was a cry for help or possibly to draw attention to herself.'

Speaking after the conclusion of the inquest, Det Insp Cottle said: 'Following the outcome of the coroner's court, I extend my sympathies to the family.

'I'm unable to comment fully on all the parties identified within this investigation.

'A file of evidence is presently with the Crown Prosecution Service in relation to a third party.

'This person is not being implicated in relation to the death of Cherelle.'