A 12-year-old girl was found dead at her home in West Sussex days after reports of bullying on Snapchat, an inquest has heard. Amelia Bath died on 6 March at her home on Yapton Lane, Walberton. The provisional cause of death was given as hanging.
Area coroner Joseph Turner described the circumstances of her death as 'unnatural' during a hearing at West Sussex Coroner's Court in Horsham. A statement from a coroner's officer confirmed: 'She was sadly found deceased at her home address by hanging.'
Amelia's aunt, Lisa Marsh, told the Daily Mail that the girl had spent the evening before her death in high spirits, enjoying fish and chips at her grandparents' house. Friends later revealed to her parents that Amelia had been subjected to bullying on Snapchat in the weeks leading up to her death.
A GoFundMe campaign launched by Ms Marsh has raised over £16,000 to help with funeral expenses. Donations will also be made in Amelia's memory to the children's hospice Chestnut Tree House. Ms Marsh described her niece as 'bright, funny, kind-hearted and loving'.
Sussex Police said officers were 'reviewing the wider circumstances' but the death was not being treated as suspicious. A police spokesperson said: 'We are working alongside schools and partner agencies to support the girl's family and others who have been impacted.' The inquest has been adjourned until a pre-inquest review on 17 June.
