Inquest told death of boy, 12, 'not foreseeable'

The inquest heard Riley was a "joy to be around" and "really positive" about a move to a new school

The death of a 12-year-old boy who took his own life was "not foreseeable" and a "tragedy" an inquest has heard.

Riley Townsend, from Sutton-in-Ashfield in Nottinghamshire, died on 1 September 2024 at Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham.

Nottinghamshire assistant coroner Amanda Bewley concluded his death was "misadventure" and said she was not satisfied he intended to end his life.

Ms Bewley told Nottingham Coroner's Court she had not found any "missed opportunities" to identify risk and said all professionals responded "promptly" to his behaviour.

The inquest heard Riley was a "very popular" boy, a "devoted brother" and loved playing football.

"I am told Riley had the best sense of humour and was a joy to be around," Ms Bewley said.

The court heard he had been diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), and had undiagnosed ASD (autism spectrum disorder).

The inquest previously heard an assessment for autism had been sought since 2021.

But Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said it was a complex case and his treatment was not dependent on a diagnosis.

The inquest was told "there was a delay" in Riley having an assessment for ASD but Ms Bewley concluded this had not contributed to his death.

The assistant coroner told the inquest Riley was a "young man deeply affected by neurodiversity" and he wished to manage his behaviour, but was unable to do so.

The coroner's court heard a post-mortem examination found Riley's cause of death was hanging.

Ms Bewley said his death appeared "opportunistic rather than planned", added he left no notes and did not say anything on the day to indicate he was going to end his life.

She told the inquest it was "far more likely than not that Riley impulsively responded to an episode of emotional dysregulation".

'Upbeat mood'

The inquest previously heard Riley was due to start a new term at Ashfield School on 3 September 2024 following a managed move from Quarrydale Academy, where he was "unsettled".

At an earlier hearing, Bethany Poole, a social worker in the Ashfield safeguarding team, told the inquest she had organised a same-day visit on 29 August 2024 after Riley's mum texted her to say she was "worried" about her son, who had started to self-harm.

Ms Poole told the court she spoke to Riley, who seemed in a more "upbeat mood" than when she last spoke to him and when he was asked if he had plans to self-harm again, he said he did not.

Riley was "really positive" about the move to Ashfield School and wanted to make friends, Ms Poole added.

She said he was "laughing and making jokes", and that she had arranged to meet Riley the following week, when he was due to start at the school.

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