A MUM who found her teenage daughter hanged after coming home with a McDonald’s for her says the youngster’s death was a “cry for help”.
Alison Jones jokingly shouted “waitress service” seconds before she found 13-year-old Chantelle dead in her bedroom in Wrexham, Wales, an inquest heard.
A coroner yesterday said he couldn’t be sure Chantelle had meant to take her own life.
“I know I will never get the answers I want as to why I lost the most precious thing in my life,” Mrs Jones said.
“She was just a teenager getting on with her life and doing what all teenagers do.
“We had a close relationship and she knew she could come to me and dad and talk about anything.”
She said she believes Chantelle had no intention of dying.
“I just don’t think she meant to do it,” she said.
“I think it was a cry for help and she thought we would be there.”
Tragically, coroner John Gittins said he’d heard two inquests on the same day involving youngsters who died from hanging – and couldn’t be sure either of the children had meant to harm themselves.
Recording a conclusion of misadventure, he said: “We have a deliberate act with unforeseen consequences arising from it.”
I will never get the answers I want as to why I lost the most precious thing in my lifeMum Alison Jones
And he told Mr and Mrs Jones: “I just wish I knew what she had in her mind so you could have proper closure.
“It doesn’t seem enough to offer my condolences.
“Everyone involved in this did all they possibly could. It’s very, very sad.”
Chantelle, an only child, loved going to school and language lessons, the inquest heard.
She wanted to join the Army as a nurse.
In 2019, she was referred to a mental health service after self-harming. However, her contact with the team lasted for just a week, and she hadn’t hurt herself since.
She had a lot going for her, a family who loved her, and all the support in the world,” Mr Gittins said.
“There’s not sufficient evidence to reach a conclusion of suicide.
“My belief is it wasn’t intended to end her life.”
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