A family has been left utterly devastated after their 15-year-old son took his own life, having shown no outward signs of the profound struggle he was facing within.
The tragic story of Matthew, a teenager from Cheshire, unfolded at his inquest, where a coroner heard how he had messaged his mother a simple, yet final, 'I love you' before ending his life.
His mother, Lisa, heartbreakingly recounted the moment she discovered a note from her son after he failed to emerge from his room. She had initially thought he was simply sleeping in.
A Life Full of Promise
Described as a 'happy and loving' boy, Matthew was passionate about sports and gaming. He lived with his mother, stepfather, and siblings, and his family stated they had no indication he was suffering from any mental health issues.
His stepfather noted that Matthew had seemed his usual self in the days leading up to the tragedy, even discussing plans for the upcoming weekend.
The Final Message
The sequence of events that led to the unimaginable loss began when Lisa received a text from her son while she was at work. The message read: "Love you mum. I love you so much. You are the best mum in the world."
While she thought it was slightly unusual, she didn't suspect the depth of its meaning. Later, upon returning home and finding his bedroom door locked, she discovered the devastating note he had left behind.
A Call for Awareness
In recording a conclusion of suicide, the coroner highlighted the hidden nature of Matthew's struggles. This case underscores a critical and deeply worrying issue: young people can often mask their pain from even those closest to them.
The family's agony is a stark reminder for all parents to keep communication channels open and to check in regularly, even with those who seem perfectly fine on the surface.
