'Perfectionist' star student, 18, found dead clutching teddy bear in 'meticulously planned' suicide
Troubled schoolgirl Alisha Watts was found by her social worker after sending 'worrying' emai
Alisha Watts, 18, a student at the selective Kendrick School in Reading, had struggled with violent mood swings for years, an inquest heard.
She was found dead by her social worker, Leanne Palethorpe, who had rushed to her home after receiving a series of worrying emails.
She was found slumped against a wall, wrapped in a duvet and clutching her teddy bear after taking her own life.
Above her were detailed notes to her family and a playlist titled 'suicide' was playing.
She had also thanked her for everything that she had done and for being so kind.
Assistant coroner for Berkshire, Alison McCormick, described the suicide as one that "was a careful and meticulously planned suicide".
The coroner heard how Alisha had been repeatedly in and out of care facilities from the age of 15, after her mum had become increasingly worried about her repeated claims of feeling suicidal.
Between the ages of 15 and 18 when had been moved between multiple care units and services including from Southampton Priory, to Prospect Park hospital before being settled at a supported living facility in Reading, Berks.
In an emotional statement, social worker Ms Palethorpe said : "Alisha was very, very easy to engage, she would contact me all the time and she felt it was helpful to email me late at night when she was having issues.
"She had started to become a lot more positive, she told me she could see a way out, she could see her future and sh was making plans for her future.
"She would often tell me that she just wanted to be a normal girl in a normal life.
"Her risk assessments were very difficult because here emotions would swing so wildly, the assessments were only relevant for the times they were done, but she could change within the hour.
"Her school life gave her stability."
She ended by commenting on Alisha's elaborate method of suicide, saying: "She always was a perfectionist."
In summing up, the coroner said of Alisha Watts: "Alisha was a very beautiful girl and I know how loved and supported she was by her family and friends and she had everything to live for.
The inquest heard that Alisha had been a pupil at the girls' grammar Kendrick School, but had since moved to Reading College.
At the inquest on Thursday the coroner came to a conclusion of suicide.
If you need to speak to someone, Samaritans are available 24/7 by calling 116 123 or by emailing jo@samaritans.org
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