Boy, 16, tragically ends life after watching TikTok videos with sister

Irish Daily Mirror

2 days ago

A "sensitive and caring" 16 year old boy was found to have been "laughing and joking" with his sister over TikTok clips just hours before he tragically took his own life. Elliott Jones had shown no signs of planning such an act, Winchester Coroners' Court was told during the inquest.
After his mum popped out to the shops, Elliott left their home on Waverley Road, Fordingbridge, caught a bus to Pokesdown railway station, and then a train to Ashurst. A train driver spotted him standing with his back towards the train on the tracks, and despite doing "everything he possibly could", Elliott was hit and died instantly.
Mum Carolyn Jones recounted to the court that on the day he passed away, March 10, he appeared to be in high spirits and had mentioned that the melatonin tablets he'd recently started for insomnia seemed to be helping. He and his sister had been having a laugh watching TikTok videos.
She explained: "I went to the supermarket and when I came back I assumed he was still there but he had left."
She spoke of her son as a "beautiful soul" and shared that shortly after, a news story about a fatality at Ashurst station in the New Forest appeared in her Facebook feed, reports the Mirror.
She recounted that despite Elliott's seemingly cheerful demeanour earlier on, "I immediately thought it was Elliott; I don't know why but I just knew it was him". After discovering he had purchased a train ticket from his bank account, she said: "I was desperately checking the account to see if there was any sign of life after that. It was my worst nightmare."
Mrs Jones then described how she searched her son's bedroom and discovered a notebook under his pillow with writings about taking his own life and his wish not to have a funeral. He had also left a note reminder to return a library book.
She then called the police, telling them: "I think this [the person killed at Ashurst] is my son."
At the time of his passing, Elliott was receiving support from CAMHS – Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services – had been diagnosed as autistic and was awaiting an ADHD assessment. Despite also having dyspraxia, which affects coordination, his mother noted he was coping well and had achieved "really well in his GCSEs" even though he "hardly" went to school.
Describing him as "caring, sensitive and funny", she mentioned Elliott, known for his distinctive mane of curls, had come out as non-binary shortly before his death. She remembered him as a "champion for social justice", always ready to help and defend the underdog.
Mrs Jones has shared that since Elliott's passing, she's been overwhelmed by messages from people saying he had a profound effect on their lives. Despite Elliott admitting to occasional suicidal thoughts, he assured her they were "fleeting" and he didn't intend to act on them.
After the inquest into Elliott's death concluded it was suicide, coroner Jason Pegg reflected: "At 16 he had his whole life ahead of him. He was a very well loved and supported son."
After the inquest, his family, who are receiving support from the bereavement charity Cruse, described Elliott as "highly sensitive, empathetic and endearingly eccentric", noting: "He would leave a positive impression on everyone he met – once met, never forgotten.
"He was well liked by his teachers and peers. He had an intuitive intellectual curiosity beyond his years and deeply cared for social justice. He had done well in his GCSEs and was studying A-levels. It is clear he would have been passionate about any path he might have followed."
Elliott relished spicy food, travelling, trips to London, tinkering with musical instruments, and diving into deep philosophical debates. He adored jewellery and showy attire, stood out with his tall frame and sported the most incredible long curly locks.
"Elliott had a fantastic relationship with myself, his brother and sister, and the wider family. He had a good set of friends. He is deeply missed, but we all try to honour him by taking the things he taught us with us as we try to move forward with our lives."
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