Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Shock loss of teen who showed no intention of ending his life
Gifted hockey player, 18, was on gap year before starting uni when he died
An “academically gifted” 18-year-old had shown no intention of ending his life before his tragic suicide, an inquest has heard.
Kent College pupil Chris Figgis died in a barn near his home in Graveney, near Faversham, where his father runs a farm. The talented youngster had played hockey and enjoyed cake with his mum - who had been celebrating her birthday - on the day before his death.
But a note was discovered in his bedroom the following morning, and he was found unresponsive near his home shortly after. His death shocked and saddened staff and students at Kent College in Canterbury, where he spent his final year as deputy head boy before receiving top A-level results last summer. The teenager was also a popular and rising star at Canterbury Hockey Club.
Coroner Katrina Hepburn, who recorded a verdict of suicide, told an inquest into his death at County Hall in Maidstone on Monday that Chris was found unresponsive by his mum on October 30. Emergency services were called to the barn in Broom Street, Graveney shortly after 9.30am.
Sadly, Chris could not be saved and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Ms Hepburn read a statement from the ambulance service, which said: “His mum said [Chris] had struggled through lockdown.
“A gap year job offer had fallen through but he had recently been putting out feelers for another job.
“He had never mentioned any suicidal intent or wishes to harm himself. He had been well recently.” Documents from his GP showed “nothing concerning or of note”, and the coroner says he was “fit and well - as you would expect of someone of a young age”.
Ms Hepburn told how Chris’s parents, Sean and Stephanie, went out for a meal with friends shortly after 7pm on October 29 while their son stayed at home alone.
When they returned home at about 10.30pm, the house was in darkness and Chris’ bedroom door was closed, so they assumed he was asleep. The following morning, his
mum found a note in his bedroom after not hearing from him.
Following a search of the home, she found him unresponsive in a nearby barn.
A police statement read by the coroner described Chris as a “very bright young man”. “He was gifted academically and he managed to achieve two A*s and an A at his A-levels,” it said.
Chris was deputy head boy in his final year at Kent College and left sixth form in July last year with intentions to take a gap year.
The statement added: “He was hoping to spend six months in South Africa. Unfortunately, a visa was rejected and, as a consequence, he couldn’t go. “He was upset about this as he was looking forward to the opportunity.
“His mum described him as being quite shy and introvert, and how the trip to South Africa would’ve helped him to build his confidence.”
Kent College headmaster Mark Turnball paid tribute to Chris last year, saying he “touched the lives of many colleagues and pupils” and that his loss had been met with great sadness. “The Kent College community is deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Chris Figgis,” he said.
“Chris was a student who really participated in school life, and it is so incredibly sad to think that such a talented person has now left us.
“He excelled in many areas, and particularly loved his hockey. Indeed, Canterbury Hockey Club has been as much a part of his life as the school. “Last summer he achieved top grades in his A-levels in geography, maths and physics, and was planning to read physics at the University of Bath following a gap year.
“We will all greatly miss his wonderfully dry humour and the manner in which he made everyone feel so welcome in the school.
“The College remembered Chris through a book of condolence and, alongside the wellbeing programme at the school, we are working to raise funds and awareness about mental health, particularly among young males.”
Team mates and coaches at Canterbury Hockey Club described him as an “exceptional defender” who helped the club win numerous county and regional titles.
In a statement shared by the club last year, a spokesman said: “It is with great sadness that we share the news that one of our young club members, Chris Figgis, took his own life. “Chris played all the way through the junior section at Canterbury Hockey Club and was part of a successful side that won numerous county and regional titles, going on to play in numerous England Hockey national finals.
“He was an exceptional defender with great vision and versatility.”
Olympic hockey silver medallist Mel Clewlow, who is director of sport at the University of Kent, added: “Incredibly tragic [news] which has rocked the club. Remember what you see on the outside may not be a true reflection on the inside.” For confidential support on an emotional issue, call Samaritans on 116 123.
‘It is so incredibly sad to think that such a talented person has now left us...’