Woman, 20, found dead in woods was one of four people who killed themselves after joining WhatsApp group discussing self harm and suicide, inquest hears

• Inquest was told Amy Springer, 20, was part of a WhatsApp suicide group chat
• Online conversation had three other members who have now killed themselves
• Brighton coroner Dr Karen Henderson said Amy killed herself by asphyxiation

A young woman killed herself in woods after discussing the best method in a WhatsApp suicide group chat with three others who later took their own lives.

An inquest heard Amy Springer, 20. was part of the social media group discussing how people could end their lives.

She was found in woods near Portslade cricket club in Benfield Valley, Portslade on March 21.

She had been in touch with people who discussed self-harm via the mobile messaging site, the inquest heard.

Three other people connected to the group have completed suicide, the inquest heard.

No more detail was given about the online conversation or the other members. 

Amy Springer, 20. was part of the social media group discussing methods of suicide

Amy was found in woods near Portslade cricket club in Benfield Valley, Portslade on March 21

Brighton coroner Dr Karen Henderson said despite having several diagnoses, including autism, emotionally unstable personality disorder and complex PTSD, Amy Springer was doing better in the weeks before her death.

Recording a verdict of suicide, the coroner said despite the best efforts of her family, and support staff at her home in Hove she could not extricate herself from a pattern of behaviour which included self-harm and frequent disappearances.

Amy had been reported missing 15 times in 2020 and three times in 2021 and had committed self-harm on several of these occasions.

She was reported missing from her supported living accommodation on Friday, March 19 and officers from Sussex Police carried out a search of her bedroom but found no clues to Amy’s whereabouts and nothing to suggest what her intentions were.

The coroner recorded a verdict of suicide and gave a cause of death as asphhyxiation

Her cause of death was given as asphyxiation.

Coroner Dr Karen Henderson described her death as a tragedy and said Amy was suffering from very severe and life-limiting trauma which stemmed from her childhood and the death of her older brother David at the age of six.

She said: ‘She was no doubt deeply loved.

‘But throughout her life she suffered many difficulties and challenges that had a considerable impact on her ability to navigate her teenage years and the early years of adulthood.

‘In the background was a very severe and life-limiting trauma from her childhood.

‘No doubt it caused her considerable pain that she was unable to overcome,’ the coroner said.

For help, call Samaritans for free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org 

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