AN "inquisitive" schoolboy hanged himself in a “horrible mistake” after he experimented to see how Hollywood legend Robin Williams died, an inquest heard.
Temidayo Joseph, 16, died in his bedroom just hours after collecting his GCSE results reports the Thurrock Enquirer.
The talented footballer was found slumped in a seated position on the floor by his mother, Kate, with his school tie around his neck which appeared to have been attached to his bedroom door.
An inquest at Essex Coroner’s Court today (Thursday) heard in the days leading up to his death the “lively and popular” youngster – known to friends as Temi – had spoken with a cousin in Nigeria and quizzed why the famous actor Robin Williams would have wanted to his life.
Essex Coroner Eleanor McGann said: “There was a conversation which took place about big news in the media about the death of Robin Williams. Temi had said ‘I don’t understand why somebody would do this to themself’.
“I do wonder if this bright, little boy… perhaps he was just experimenting to see how Robin Williams killed himself, but with no intention of doing it himself
“We know it’s incredibly easy to hang yourself from a sitting position. It’s perfectly possible that he did not have any idea how easy it is to hang yourself by mistake. That would seem to fit with this happy little boy with an enquiring mind who has made a horrible mistake.”
Detective Sergeant Tara Barnes told the inquest she had concluded her report into the death by saying: “I had no information that his intention was to kill himself.”
No suicide note was found and Temi’s family said he had been looking forward to enrolling at college.
Temi’s school – The Ockendon Academy – has been under the spotlight after the death just two weeks ago of fellow student Toni Connell, 15.
The teenager was found dead at at her home in South Ockenden.
A short inquest into her death, opened and adjourned today, heard that youngster was also found hanged. Her grieving mother Amanda Connell, 46, has blamed exam pressure for the untimely death of her much-loved daughter.
But according to the Essex Coroner today, she did not think Temi’s death on August 21 last year was due to his GCSE results in which he gained just three C grades.
The inquest heard evidence heard how academy staff had taken steps to warn Temi – who dreamed about becoming a professional footballer – about what kind of grades he would be getting.
Mrs McGann concluded that Temi died as a result of an accident. She said: “It is very easy to jump to the conclusion someone has got their GCSE results and think he has hanged himself. That conclusion, in this case, would be wrong. He got the results he expected to get – he knew what pathway he would follow.
“There was no evidence at all that Temi wanted to kill himself – quite the contrary… this was a young man with everything to live for.
“He had a loving and sound extended family, lots of support and was very popular at school, not just with pupils but teachers as well. Why on earth would he intend to kill himself?
“I am not satisfied, so that I am sure, that he intended to kill himself that day and therefore I am not returning a verdict of suicide. We know he was thinking about Robin Willams death and that he had discussed it. There is nothing to show he intended to die…
“It was a tragic accident of a young boy simply trying to work out how something has been done and it went horribly wrong.”
Afterwards Temi’s devastated dad, Vincent, 54, from Waterloo, London, wept as he described his son. The mature student: “I did not know about the link to Robin Williams before we went into the inquest.
“Temidayo was a lovely young man and a great character. He did not intend to kill himself – he was a very talented boy and lived for his football – that’s all he wanted to do.
“I was so happy when I stood by him to hear him call me father. I have lost a good friend.”
Temi’s mum, Kate Ibok, has temporarily moved back to Nigeria with Temi’s sister, Christiana, 12, as she struggles to cope with the loss of her boy. She was not present at today’s inquest.
