by A talented schoolboy committed suicide after being abused by a social media group.
Lucas Webb, 16, was found dead on December 13, 2020, a day after he was reported missing in a forest near Canterbury, Kent.
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But, before he went missing, Lucas is believed to have already raised the possibility of suicide - and even discussed it on social media platforms among a group of classmates.
The interrogation was heard from DS Anthony Welch, who said that screenshots of messages he saw from the group showed that Lucas was unhappy and had a “intention and plan” to take his own life.
He also showed an in-depth knowledge of the various methods of suicide, and asked friends not to mention their plans.
“There was a degree here, while others were saying he should talk to his parents,” said DS Welch.
However, it rejected the involvement of a third party.
The investigation also found that Lucas had previously been part of a school group that was apparently engaged in a suicide deal with a classmate.
When the group was seen walking to the scene of the suicide - a concerned student warned a male school teacher who rushed to the scene.
He found a group of about five boys walking back to school - finally talking to the questioning student - who said he was just joking.
Lucas’ parents said they learned of his death just five days later.
Coroner Juan Andrews later told the Inquiry that Lucas was frustrated by the effect of the lockdown, but there were no other indications as to why he had taken his own life.
Her mother told the Medstone hearing: “She mapped out life and even talked about marriage, mortgages and even pensions.”
He explained how his son was an “enlightened educator” and that he had just received almost perfect GCSE results.
He said the emotional impact of his death on the family had been “terrible”.
“We never saw him come and he was devastated. We never got a chance to help him,” he added.
The family’s lawyer, Edmund Great QC, said he believed the school’s safety policy was “weak, unclear and at best just hesitant”.
But, recording his death from suffocation as suicide, Coroner Juan Andrews said he was satisfied it was his intention.
In a concluding statement, he said: “I would like to begin by saying how grateful I am for Mrs. Webb’s statement.
“What happened was a terrible, terrible shock to the family. I can only offer my personal condolences at this time.
“My conclusion is that Lucas died of suicide, and that he took those steps that day with the intention of ending his life.”
You are not alone
In the UK, one person loses his life every 90 minutes.
It does not discriminate, it touches the lives of people in every corner of society - from the homeless and unemployed to architects and doctors, realistic stars and footballers.
It is the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car accidents.
And women are three times more likely to take their own lives than men.
Yet it is seldom talked about, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly riot until we all stop and take notice.
That’s why The Sun launched the UR Not Eleven campaign.
The goal is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down barriers when talking about people’s mental health, we can all help save our lives.
Let us all pledge to ask for help when we need it, and to listen to others … You are not alone.
If you, or someone you know, needs help dealing with mental health issues, the following organizations provide help:
- Calm down www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858.
- Head together, www.headstogether.org.uk
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393.
- Papers, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41.
- Samaritan, www.samaritans.org, 116 123.
- Moomber, www.uk.movember.com
- Anxiety UK www.anxietyuk.org.uk, 03444 775 774 Monday-Friday 9.30am-10pm, Saturday / Sunday 10 am-8pm.
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If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans at 116123 for free.
