A 'perfectionist' 18-year-old student was found dead clutching her teddy bear, surrounded by notes to loved ones, an inquest has heard. Alisha Watts, a former pupil at Kendrick School in Reading, Berkshire, had struggled with violent mood swings for years.
She was discovered by her social worker, Leanne Palethorpe, who rushed to her home after receiving a series of worrying emails. Alisha was slumped against a wall, wrapped in a duvet, with detailed notes pinned above her and a playlist titled 'suicide' playing.
Assistant coroner Alison McCormick described the death as 'a careful and meticulously planned suicide'. The inquest heard that Alisha had been in and out of care since age 15, moving between multiple units including Southampton Priory and Prospect Park hospital before settling in supported living in Reading.
Social worker Ms Palethorpe said Alisha was 'very easy to engage' but her emotions would swing wildly. 'She always was a perfectionist,' Ms Palethorpe added. The coroner concluded that Alisha, described as 'beautiful and loved', took her own life.
