Tragic Teen's Suicide Linked to Online Harm Sites, Inquest Hears
A 'wonderful' 13-year-old girl was discovered hanged in her parents' garden after she had been browsing pro-suicide websites online, a coroner's inquest has revealed this week. Helena Kastner-Moss, described by her family as 'incredibly beautiful', tragically passed away on January 15, 2024, just two days after she wrote the chilling words 'I'm dead' in the notes app on her mobile phone.
Discovery and Immediate Aftermath
On the evening of her death, Helena's parents, David Moss and Martina Kastner, returned home from work to find their patio door open and their daughter's school bag abandoned by the sofa. Alarmed by her absence, they immediately reported her missing to the police at approximately 7pm. Officers were dispatched to the family home in Wiltshire, where they conducted a search and discovered Helena hanged in the back garden at 8.30pm. Paramedics attended the scene, but she was pronounced dead twenty minutes later, with no suicide note or explanation left behind.
Coroner's Findings and Family Tributes
Senior Coroner for Wiltshire and Swindon, David Ridley, presided over the inquest held in Salisbury this week. He concluded that Helena had committed suicide, stating, 'Helena did intend to end her life. She talked with her parents about her life being in a loop.' However, he acknowledged the profound mystery surrounding her actions, adding, 'We may never understand why she did this, and that for a family must be awful for you all, because the only person who could say is sadly no longer with us.'
Her parents paid heartfelt tribute to their daughter, describing her as a 'very strong' child who adored cats, dogs, climbing trees, running, and rollercoasters. They emphasised her bubbly personality and ease in making friends, with her mother noting, 'She was wonderful and bubbly.'
Background of Bullying and Mental Health Struggles
The inquest heard that Helena had experienced bullying, primarily during her primary school years, including an incident where a boy pulled her trousers down. At secondary school, she was bullied for Trypophobia, a fear of holes. Her mother highlighted that the COVID-19 pandemic was a particularly challenging period, as Helena struggled with isolation and missed her friends intensely. 'She was bewildered, missing friends the whole period,' Ms Kastner testified. 'It was hard to get her head around. There was a big kink in her belief in humanity.'
In November 2023, her mother noticed marks on Helena's arms, indicating self-harm. When questioned, Helena dismissed them as scratches from a cat. She had expressed feelings that life was 'pointless' and that she felt 'stuck in a loop', but her mother admitted, 'Taking her own life was not in my realm of thinking, I just didn't think it was possible.' Helena declined offers of help from mental health professionals or her school, fearing others would discover her struggles.
Online Activity and Final Day
Helena had a phone from the start of secondary school and used social media platforms such as TikTok, WhatsApp, and Snapchat. Her parents would take her phone at night to ensure she slept properly, as she always had a 'busy mind'. Police Constable Ellie Grindrod informed the inquest that searches on Helena's phone revealed she had looked up content related to suicide and self-harm. Coroner Ridley remarked, 'One of the sites she was looking at is well known to coroners. It has been taken off the internet now. It is helped by the Online Safety Act, but it is not foolproof, though it is a step in the right direction.'
On the day of her death, Helena was driven to school by her mother, who wished her a good day. A friend's mother gave her a lift home, as her parents were conducting a musical therapy class. The friend noted that Helena seemed 'quieter than usual' and was 'joking on the way but not the same as usual.' Upon returning home, her parents found the house empty, with the patio door open and her bag by the sofa, prompting their search and subsequent police call.
Coroner's Condolences and Reflections
Mr Ridley extended his sincere condolences to Helena's family, stating, 'Bringing Helena's inquest to a close, I would like to sincerely, as a parent myself, offer my condolences to her parents, but also to her brothers and sisters and family friends. And to anyone else because this has clearly been something that has shaken them to the core.' He confirmed that Helena had no prior mental health medical history, and her toxicology report was negative, reinforcing the conclusion of suicide.
Her mother reflected in a statement, 'She had a strength in her, and I thought I had chosen the right name for her. Very strong and incredibly beautiful. She was loved by all of her siblings. But she was very sensitive.' The tragic case underscores the devastating impact of online harmful content and the silent struggles faced by young individuals.
