A TEENAGER described as a "kind, caring and social young man" hanged himself after revealing he believed he was suffering from schizophrenia, an inquest heard yesterday.

Daniel Jordan King, aged 17, of Juniper House, Wimborne, died in the grounds of the former East Dorset District Council offices, Wimborne, on July 17, last year.

The night before he'd spoken to his mum for the first time about his mental illness fears, Dorset Coroner's Court heard.

He told his shocked mum that he'd been hearing voices in his head for a number of years and he had tried to end his life three times in recent weeks.

His mother, Paula Barnes, told Tuesday's hearing, at Bournemouth Town Hall, that she immediately arranged a doctors appointment for him, and only went to work the following day after Daniel insisted he was OK.

But during the morning he failed to reply to text messages, she became worried, returned home and found he was not there.

A subsequent search led to the grounds of the former district council, where his body was found.

The cause of death given after a post mortem examination was hanging.

Dorset Police fully investigated the death and found no third party involvement nor any suspicious circumstances.

Yesterday, Dorset Coroner Rachael Griffin concluded that Daniel died from suicide.

She said: "Dan was a lovely young man – from all I have heard kind, caring, social and fun."

Ms Griffin added: "Dan was a young man who was clearly very troubled. He believed he was suffering with schizophrenia.

"Even though he'd never had a medical assessment of that, that was his belief.

"He disclosed hearing voices. He disclosed them intermittently to friends and relatives, but the main disclosure about the extent of the voices he was hearing was only the night before his death.

"Those close to him took the appropriate action and arranged an appointment for him to see a doctor."

The court heard Daniel had also admitted consuming drugs and alcohol at a music festival the weekend before his death. His family said they believed this was out of character and may have also been a deliberate attempt to end his life.

Ms Griffin told the court that although she was required by law, on the balance of probabilities, to record a conclusion of suicide, she would also be including a statement with her findings that outlined Daniel's schizophrenia fears.

"I do believe that had an impact on him and his ability to deal with his emotions and actions," said Ms Griffin.

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