Joe Wright: teenage boxer, 15, killed himself in the same way his mother did seven years previously, inquest rules
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Talented boxer Joseph Daniel Wright, known as Joe, was found unresponsive in his bed in Queen Street, Morecambe, on July 15 2022 by his father Trevor.
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At an inquest into his death, Preston Coroner's Court heard that Joe had not displayed any signs of mental health problems and there were not any safeguarding issues. The year 10 Carnforth High School pupil was described by his father as a "typical child" and "generally happy at school", but his sister, Kyanna Balmer said she had worried he was drinking too much.
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On the night before his death, Joe and his father attended the Dog and Partridge and Lord Nelson pubs close to their home, where they played pool together. Kyanna had telephoned Joe about plans to scatter their mother's ashes, and although he didn't want to discuss the matter, she said he "didn't appear upset".
After returning home, Joe and his father spent some time talking, before Trevor went to bed. Kyanna spoke to Joe again on the phone at 11.15pm and noted that he appeared to have been drinking as he was slurring his words. They ended the call by saying they loved one another.
At around the same time, Joe sent messages to two schoolfriends, telling them that he loved them. Shortly before midnight, Trevor heard something drop in the living room, but Joe said he was getting a drink.
The following morning, after Joe didn't respond to a text message at 11am, Trevor went to his room, and found his son lifeless in bed. A note was found by his bed, explaining his intention to take his life and saying that he loved his family very much. There were also empty packets of Trevor’s prescription medication on the floor. The tablets had previously been in the kitchen.
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Hide AdThe court heard that the same type of tablets had been used in a deliberate overdose by Joe's mother, Sheila Balmer, on July 17, 2015. Kyanna said that just days before the anniversary of their mum's death, that it "would have been at the forefront of (Joe's) mind."
She said that Joe had never mentioned that he was suicidal, but she had noticed that he had been drinking heavily in the weeks leading up to his death and a nervous tick had worsened. A statement from Trevor read in court said: "I cannot explain why Joe has done this. I miss him so very much and struggle to be alone."
“Good support”
Lindsay Howath from the Sudden and Unexplained Death in Children Service reported that the home was very clean and tidy, there were no injuries of concern on Joe's body and there were no safeguarding concerns.
The court also heard that Joe told a school nurse he had good support at home.
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Hide AdA post mortem revealed the cause of Joe's death as 1a) The combined effects of ethanol and flecainide.
Coroner Kate Bissett said she was satisfied Joe had intended to take his own life using the same medication his mother had, and ruled his death suicide.
She said: "I am so very sorry for Joe's friends and family. The history in this case is heart-breaking."