Schoolgirl found hanged at home after 'prank went wrong'

Rachel Dennis, said to have been a "cheerful and lively" girl, was described by her family as a music-mad "rock chick" who also enjoyed cooking and sport.

She was found hanged at her home on the Welsh island of Anglesey a week before she was due to begin her second year at secondary school.

Police are investigating her death but initial signs are thought to point to an accident or a prank which went tragically wrong rather than a suicide attempt.

Rachel lived in a terraced house in Holyhead where her body was found by a family member on Monday. An ambulance was called but it was too late to save her.

Last night her grieving relatives issued a statement saying they were devastated by her death.

"Rachel was our angel, our own rock chick," they said. "She loved music, dancing and singing, especially songs from the film Grease.

"Recently she had taken an interest in cooking and enjoyed nothing more than adding a variety of spices to foods being prepared.

"We're a close family who all get on really well. Rachel was a very much-loved daughter and granddaughter who will be greatly missed by everyone."

The family were too upset to comment at their terraced home yesterday.

Rachel, whose parents Jonathan and Christine Dennis are thought to be separated, was due to begin her second year at Ysgol Friars on the mainland in Bangor next Monday.

Her family said she was a keen student who loved sports, particularly cross-country running and football.

Headteacher Neil Foden said everyone had been "shocked and deeply saddened" by the news of her death.

"Rachel was a popular pupil, described by her teachers as a cheerful and lively girl who was always enthusiastic and worked hard," he said.

"Her death is a tragedy for all who knew her and we extend our deepest sympathy to her family."

A North Wales Police spokeswoman said: "We can confirm we are investigating the death of a 12-year-old at an address in the Holyhead area.

"A post-mortem examination has been carried out. Police are not treating the death as suspicious and a file is being prepared for the coroner."

An inquest was opened in Caernarfon but adjourned to a later date.