Schoolgirl, 11, who took her own life in en-suite bathroom and was discovered by her devastated sister had earlier been practising gymnastics in the bedroom they shared together, inquest hears

• Alicia Tall, 11, took her own life in her bathroom at home, an inquest has heard
• The schoolgirl was found by her sister at home in Northfleet, Kent
• Her parents Illa Tall and Jennifer Newman cannot understand why it happened 
• For confidential support on an emotional issue, call Samaritans on 116 123 at any time. Childline offers a counselling service to children who are struggling with a range of issues. Call them on 0800 1111 at any time. 

An 11-year-old girl practised gymnastics in her bedroom before going to the bathroom and taking her own life despite ‘no prior indication’ she intended to do so, an inquest has heard.

Schoolgirl Alicia Tall had no medical record of mental ill-health or depression and investigations did not find any evidence she was being bullied at school.

A coroner said there ‘were none of the usual indications of low mood’. 

Alicia was found by her sister who she shared a room with after she failed to return from the bathroom at their family home in Northfleet, Kent.

Her stunned parents described their daughter as a lovely girl and said they ‘can’t understand why it happened’.

Schoolgirl Alicia Tall, 11, took her own life in the bathroom of her family home in Kent, an inquest has heard

Alicia was the third of four daughters of Illa Tall and Jennifer Newman.

The only clue came in a post mortem examination which found historic self-harm marks.

Coroner Alan Blunsden concluded that even though she left no suicide note, Alicia had deliberately taken steps to end her own life.

He said: ‘She was a bright girl and would have known that her actions were likely to result in her death.

‘But in this case there were none of the usual indications of low mood, and no prior indication that she intended to take her life.’

Medics were soon on the scene and transported her to Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford, but doctors declared her dead an hour later (stock image)

Born in St Denis in Paris, she had moved to Britain with her family some eight years ago, and was looking forward to starting the new school year.

On the evening of May 31, she had been practicing gymnastics in the bedroom that she shared with her sister.

At one stage, she disappeared into the en-suite bathroom. After a while her sister realised that Alicia had not reappeared and went into the bathroom and found her.

Her sister and her mother immediately called 999 and attempted to revive her.

Medics were soon on the scene and transported her to Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford, but doctors declared her dead an hour later.

Police carried out investigations at her school, with her family, with her GP and of her computer tablet.

They found no evidence of any abuse or bullying, and no evidence that she had been visiting harmful websites.

She was said to be a happy cheerful outgoing girl from a loving family.

For confidential support on an emotional issue, call Samaritans on 116 123 at any time.

Childline offers a counselling service to children who are struggling with a range of issues. Call them on 0800 1111 at any time.

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