Zenon Bartlett killed himself 'after struggling with break-up'

Zenon Bartlett, 16, was believed to be depressed and never sought help from doctors, although he had called Childline.

His mum discovered his body after he hanged himself in his bedroom on September 6.

Winchester Coroner’s Court heard the Botley teenager was gay but had not told his family.

The former Wildern School pupil had been set to start college at Peter Symonds in Winchester and had ambitions to be a lawyer.

The inquest heard he was in a relationship with university student James Hartman in the months before his death, but this ended when Mr Hartman decided the distance would mean their relationship had no future.

Mr Hartman said: "He did not want to stop.

"Every time I told him it was the best thing to do he did not understand that.

"I think he was a bit scared of not seeing me anymore - that's the impression he gave me."

The coroner was told that Zenon talked to Mr Hartman about ending his life.

On one occasion Mr Hartman prevented him from doing so and urged Zenon to seek professional help.

Zenon's friend Harvey Wright told the hearing he believed Zenon was uneasy with his sexuality.

Mr Wright said: “I think that he was struggling with his sexuality.

"In such a short space of time he had come out and met James Hartman and had a relationship and it ended suddenly.

"It was his first relationship, and that and other things in his life had become too much for him.”

Detective sergeant Louise Mills said that on August 28, days before his death on September 6, Zenon was so unhappy he phoned Childline and told them he was self-harming and had suicidal thoughts.

They gave him advice and also offered to call an ambulance for him.

The day before his death he had an argument with his friends and he texted Mr Hartman several times with the last one saying "See you later".

Mr Hartman said he did not resond because the comment was not unusual and it was during an argument, but told Zenon he would talk to him later that day.

Senior coroner Grahame Short recorded a verdict of suicide.

Zenon's mother Lynda Bartlett said if she had known he was depressed she would have immediately paid for counselling for him and helped him in any way she could.

A statement from his family said: “Zenon was a typical teenager.

"Words cannot express how we feel that he is not here to test my parenting skills.

“He was a talented artist, hardworking and a loving member to all his family.

"We have been overwhelmed with the response of the youth of today - they have been truly inspirational with the respect they have shown through this difficult time.”