Caernarfon Herald

‘Doing well was important to her ...she put a lot of stress on herself ’

FATHER ON SUICIDE OF ‘KIND AND SENSITIVE’ TEENAGER WHO ‘OFTEN WORRIED ABOUT EXAMS’

- Glyn Bellis and Aaron Lennox

A “KIND and sensitive” schoolgirl was found dead in a woodland after writing letters and messages to friends and family, an inquest heard.

Gwenfair Jones, 15, from the village of Tanygrisia­u in Gwynedd, was described by her father Gareth as “loving, kind and extremely sensitive”.

He said in a statement outlined at the Caernarfon inquest: “She took academic achievemen­ts very seriously.

“She made me and Yvonne [her mother] very proud.”

The tragedy happened in November 2021.

The inquest heard her parents didn’t put pressure on her, but Mr Jones said: “Performing well was very important to Gwenfair.

“She would often worry about any upcoming exams.

“She would put a lot of stress on herself.”

The youngster was in her last year at Ysgol y Moelwyn, a high school at Blaenau Ffestiniog, and making plans for her future.

To his knowledge, there were no ongoing issues at the school, her dad said.

On the morning of the tragedy, he said there was nothing out of the ordinary about her.

Police were alerted after Gwenfair sent a message to a friend.

Officers launched a search and made the tragic discovery in her local area.

Coroner Sarah Riley said evidence was indicative of her intention.

A suicide conclusion was recorded.

She offered her condolence­s to the teen’s parents.

She said: “I can’t begin to comprehend the trauma and grief they have as a result of Gwenfair’s death. Their only daughter who was much-loved.”

Students Against Depression is a website for students who are depressed, have a low mood or are having suicidal thoughts. Bullying UK is a website for both children and adults affected by bullying studentsag­ainstdepre­ssion.org

Samaritans (116 123) samaritans.org operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org , write to Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK, PO Box 9090, STIRLING, FK8 2SA and visit www. samaritans.org/branches to find your nearest branch.

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