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A 12-year-old girl took her own life after struggling to transition to a new school and becoming “almost nocturnal” due to her phone use, an inquest has heard.
Angel Karanja, a Year 8 student from Poole in Dorset, was found dead at her home on 17 March.
She was described as a “model student” at primary school, but her grades had been struggling since she joined the Cornerstone Academy in Hamworthy, which has 600 pupils.
The inquest heard that Angel found adjusting to her new school “difficult” and skipped a lot of classes.
Shortly before she died, she had told a friend that she would “rather be in hell than at school”, the inquest heard.
“I noticed she became more withdrawn and spent more and more time on the phone watching YouTube and playing games,” her father, Eliud Matindi, told the inquest.
“I would describe her as almost nocturnal and she slept through the day.
“When she was in her room she would spend all her time on Minecraft.”
Mr Matindi found his daughter’s body in her bedroom at 7.30am.
Police discovered that she had been receiving messages on Snapchat up until 5am.
A search of her Samsung phone and tablet found no evidence of cyber bullying or searches relating to suicide.
The inquest heard that Angel left no suicide note and had not informed any friends of her intentions.
Mr Matindi told the inquest, which was held in Bournemouth: “Angel was the light of all our lives and she brightened every single day.
“We have so many wonderful memories of her.”
He said he thought that his daughter had “turned a corner”, as her school attendance had improved before her death and she had made a group of friends in Year 8.
School friends of Angel were interviewed by police. One claimed that she had been bullied by a group of girls at a sleepover.
Another told officers: “She said she would rather be in hell than at school.”
Dorset coroner Brendan Allen did not record a conclusion of suicide, saying: “Her intention is not explained by the evidence.”
If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI) or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.
If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
