Son of Blue Peter boss hanged himself eight months after father was sacked over phone vote scandal

Despite suggestions that Rupert Marson was teased over the BBC phone scam, his inquest was told the 14-year-old had not been bullied.

The teenager was found dangling from his bunk bed by his father Richard, a TV editor, in June this year after going to bed saying he felt ‘a bit down’.

Rupert Marson, 14, was the son of ex-Blue Peter editor Richard Marson

But, ruling out suicide, coroner Edward Thomas said: ‘His death was an accident. His death was not intentional and was unwanted.

‘I have considerable doubt from what I know that a boy of just 14 years would have really known that what was to happen could have caused his death.’

The inquest was told that police and paramedics were called to the family home, where the young boy was pronounced dead.

Paramedic Paul Davis entered the house in St Albans, Hertfordshire, at 10.28am on June 10 this year, to find the talented young guitarist lying on his bedroom floor.

‘I saw Rupert lying with a dressing gown cord around his neck,’ he said in a written statement which was read to the inquest.

‘His dad said he had found him hanging from the top of his bunk bed and he had done everything he could to revive him.’

A post mortem examination carried out by pathologist Aiden Reilly revealed Rupert died of ‘asphyxia caused by suspension’ and that there was no sign of any third party involvement.

The coroner, sitting at Hatfield, Hertfordshire, also heard how Rupert, who was due to receive ‘Best CCF Cadet of the Year’ at St Columba’s College, in St Albans, had spoken, the night before he died, about being ‘a bit down.’

Mr Thomas, the coroner for Hertfordshire, outlined comments made by the fallen BBC executive.

‘He (Mr Marson) said Rupert had last been seen at 11pm the previous evening and felt a bit down,’ he said.

‘He was on his computer and playing his guitar when I left him,’ Mr Marson had said.

Despite being found hanged the next morning, Mr Thomas ruled out suicide as a verdict.

He said: ‘His death was an accident. His death was not intentional and was unwanted.

‘I have considerable doubt from what I know that a boy of just 14 years would have really known that what was to happen could have caused his death.’

The coroner also dismissed any suggestion that Rupert committed suicide as a result of teasing or bullying at the hands of other boys at school as a result of his father’s sacking.

‘I have found no evidence that he was bullied or teased, for whatever reason, and it is important to remember that,’ he said yesterday.

Rupert’s father, Richard and mum, sat in tears throughout the inquest as they heard about their son’s tragic death.

Dad Richard was wearing a polo sports sweater and glasses and Rupert’s mum was wearing a purple jumper and dark sunglasses to mask her tears.

In a statement released after the inquest, Rupert’s parents said they were devastated following his death’ Rupert had a short life - but not a small life,’ he said.

‘The impact that he made on those who knew and loved him will never be forgotten and despite our crushing sadness at his loss, we are grateful for the gift of such a wonderful son.’