A 19-year-old university student was found deceased on Christmas Day after being missing for almost two weeks. The inquest revealed that he had taken his own life. The student, Tom Dingle, disappeared in mid-December from his student housing in Appley Bridge, Wigan. Following his disappearance, Lancashire Police conducted numerous appeals as his mother mentioned his vulnerable mental state due to a recent traumatic event.
His girlfriend, Natasha Braithwaite, also a first-year student at Lancaster University, had tragically passed away in her accommodation just weeks before Tom went missing. Search efforts involving drones, police dogs, and mountain rescue teams were mobilized to locate Tom. He was eventually discovered in woodland near Dalton, Lancashire, about a mile from where he was last seen.
Authorities confirmed that his death was not deemed suspicious. The coroner’s court ruling stated that Tom had taken his own life by hanging. Natasha’s inquest, held earlier in March, revealed she had fatal levels of morphine in her system, with her death attributed to drugs.
In a statement released by Tom’s family through Lancashire Police, they described him as a smart and compassionate young man with a promising future. They expressed deep sorrow over his loss and mentioned their intention to raise funds for the Royal British Legion in his memory.
For support, the Samaritans hotline is available 24/7 at 116 123, and their email is jo@samaritans.org. Those in need can also visit their website for help. Remember, you are important.
To contribute to the fundraising efforts in memory of Tom, you can visit the dedicated page here.
