A 13-year-old girl from Halifax took her own life after persuading her father to take her to a reservoir by promising to do well in her exams, an inquest has heard. Qudsiyah Mahmood died after entering the water at Baitings Reservoir near Ripponden on May 28. The coroner ruled the death as suicide, contrary to initial suspicions of a tragic accident.
Bradford Coroner's Court was told that Qudsiyah had been struggling with her sexuality and gender identity, describing herself as genderfluid and agnostic in messages to friends. She had also been self-harming, according to a post-mortem examination. Her father, Mr Mahmood, who was in ill health, had initially refused her request to visit the reservoir but relented after she promised to excel in her upcoming exams.
Detective Inspector Laura Hall of West Yorkshire Police recounted that the pair arrived at the reservoir around lunchtime. After taking photos by the shore, they walked to the bridge, where Qudsiyah asked her father to film her. Moments later, Mr Mahmood heard a splash and realised something was wrong. Her body was recovered the following day using sonar technology, with drowning confirmed as the cause of death.
Police initially treated the incident as an accident, but friends came forward with Snapchat screenshots indicating Qudsiyah's intention to end her life. Assistant Coroner Caroline Chandler said: 'Sadly, it would seem by the evidence that Qudsiyah entered the water of her own accord, stepping off the bridge. Given the exchange of messages, and that on a balance of probability, both stages of deliberation and intention have been met, my ruling is suicide.'
Qudsiyah, who was born in Mirpur, Pakistan, attended Crossley Heath School in Halifax. Headteacher Dean Jones described her as a 'bright, kind and friendly young person who brought happiness to our school.' The family stated they would have been supportive of any issues she faced.
