A TEENAGE girl was found dead in her bedroom by her mum just hours after saying goodnight, an inquest heard.
Sophia-Nevaeh Nchanji, 15, from Brackla, Bridgend, in Wales, went to her room late in the evening on February 5 last year.
Nikita Hunter/Facebook15-year-old Sophia-Nevaeh Nchanji was found dead at her family home[/caption]
Nikita Hunter/FacebookSophia with her older sister Nikita Hunter, 24[/caption]
Nikita Hunter/FacebookNikita described her sister as ‘always happy’[/caption]
She and her mum Shelly Thomas had had a cup of tea together.
The following morning mum Shelly had gone into her daughter’s room to wake her up for school.
She noticed the LED lights were still on and felt “something was wrong”.
She screamed for Sophia’s step-father Collins Nchanji for help and emergency services were called but the girl was “pale, wasn’t moving or breathing” and was declared dead.
The inquest at Pontypridd Coroners’ Court on Tuesday heard the teenager had ongoing struggles with mental health.
She had previously self-harmed and attempted to take her own life.
However, she had seemed “happy and excited” in the days before she died, her family said.
Sophia said that they had shared a cup of tea together before bed that night and said “love you to each other” before they went to their rooms.
Later that evening, the teenager had woken her brother to see if he wanted to play a video game, which he declined due to it being late on a school night.
She also messaged her cousin saying: “Let me know when you’re not busy, we should hang out sometime,” which he replied: “Sure.”
Sophia had also Snapchatted her sister: “Hey, can we talk” early in the morning.
The inquest heard that Sophia had a previous history of attempting suicide after being bullied and needed to move secondary schools.
The Pontypridd hearing was told she also used to self harm and vape as a pain release for being stressed.
But her mum said Sophia enjoyed her new school and had a “good relationships with her teachers.”
The day before she died on February 6, 2024, Sophia had been to school and had been laughing, joking and enjoying time with friends.
Step-father Collins said she was in a “happy mood” when he saw her that day and there were “no concerns raised.”
He said the family was “shocked and devastated by her passing as it came unexpectedly under tragic circumstances”.
Her sister Nikita Hunter, 24, added: “I love my little sister and miss her terribly. I will never forget how she made me feel.”
In a previous tribute, Nikita described Sophia as unique, always full of laughter, passionate about art, photography and anime.
She said: “She was a really funny character and always came out with silly jokes. She was a very quirky and dry witted character.
“She was always happy around us, she was always laughing and smiling and asking us for hugs. She had the most wicked laugh.
“She had autism and was a very clever girl. When she got into something she really enjoyed, she really got into it, such as art.
“She was a really talented artist for her age. She loved to draw and design tattoo ideas for people. She was also really good at photography.
“We were very close over the years. I was eight when she was born and my mum was a single parent so I would help around the house a lot.
“We became very bonded and she always came to me for advice or if things were worrying her.”
Nikita added that Sophia had big dreams to one day join the police force to help other people – and had an interview to join the army the Friday after her death.
A statement by Detective Darren Thomas from South Wales Police, said no CPR was administered at the scene as she was “lifeless, cold and unresponsive.”
He noted that while searching her room, they also came across suicide notes from January 2024.
Coroner Patricia Morgan said Sophia’s medical cause of death was hanging and gave a conclusion of suicide.
You’re Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
Heads Together,www.headstogether.org.uk
HUMEN www.wearehumen.org
Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
Samaritans,www.samaritans.org, 116 123
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