Psychiatrist weeps after hearing Lancashire student had taken his own life
Consultant psychiatrist Dr Victoria Lukats, who treated George at Flint Health Care, said she was shocked when told that George had been found dead
A psychiatrist wept as she told a Lancashire inquest of her shock at being told one of her patients had taken his own life.
Lancaster University student George Sippetts, 21, was found hanged in his home in the city.
He had suffered from ADHD and depression and was being treated by consultant psychiatrist Dr Victoria Lukats.
She told an inquest at Preston Coroner’s Court that she was shocked when told that George had been found dead.
Wiping away tears, she said: “I was very upset. I have never had a patient that has taken their own life in all the time I have been a psychiatrist.
“It was extremely unexpected. I thought he was getting better.”
George was found dead In February 2026.
Assistant coroner Sara Sutherland recorded a suicide conclusion at the Preston inquest.
The hearing was told that George had been living in residential accommodation in the city while studying. His mental health had suffered as a result of his grandmother’s death and the stress of his studies.
He had been given a diagnosis of ADHD. On February 24 he went to bed as usual and after he was not seen the following day his friends raised concerns.
Police were alerted and George was found dead in his room. The cause of death was ligature compression of the neck, coupled with depression and anxiety.
The hearing was told that George – described as kind and intelligent - was struggling to cope and had gone home to Brighton in December 2025. He had sought help and his father had also paid for him to get private treatment.
Dr Lukats, who treated George at Flint Health Care, said George was given cognitive behavioural therapy. He suffered from anxiety and very low mood.
She said he was inciteful and intelligent and she felt there was some underlying condition. He was diagnosed as suffering from ADHD and he asked for CBT and was given medication.
In early February he said he was starting to feel better .
Dr Lukats said he told her he was “about 50 per cent back to normal”.
CBT therapist Joanna Hillier of Flint Health Care said George never expressed any suicidal intent and she judged he was no risk to himself.
Coroner Ms Sutherland said George was clearly feeling overwhelmed by certain factors in his life . She was impressed at the treatment he received from clinicians.
“This is an utterly tragic case” she sad.