Before his tragic death, a 13-year-old Sunderland schoolboy left a girl he had a crush on a heartbreaking voicemail that read, “I have had a crush on you for the longest time, so I guess this is goodbye,” an inquest heard.
On December 19, 2020, Bailey Reay was discovered unconscious at his grandmother’s house in Houghton-le-Spring, where he resided.
Although emergency services were contacted, he regrettably was declared dead, leaving his family and friends in shock.
Bailey stayed with his grandmother but was left in the care of her aunt on December 18, and the two of them spent some time together eating pizza, according to an inquest hearing on Wednesday at City Hall. Bailey also played on his PlayStation for a while in his room.
But at midday on the last Saturday before Christmas, Bailey was found unresponsive and the emergency services were contacted but he tragically passed away.
An empty bottle of medication that had been prescribed for Bailey’s grandmother was discovered in his room.
Bailey had alcohol and drugs in his system at eight times the recommended therapeutic level, according to toxicology results from a post-mortem.
The pathologist discovered that Bailey died as a result of the medication’s side effects and alcohol, which has been known to have negative effects on the central nervous system.
The inquest heard that Bailey was concerned about a variety of things, including “difficult family dynamics” and school, though recent records suggested he had returned to school and things were going well.
Police seized Bailey’s computer and pin-protected phone after certain concerns regarding bullying were raised in the wake of his death. However, the inquest was informed that nothing specific was found.
They did, however, discover the voicemail that Bailey had left for the girl he had a crush on.
It said: ‘I have had a crush on you for the longest time so I guess this is goodbye.’
In the voicemail he left for his crush, Bailey acknowledged to using drugs, according to assistant coroner Karin Welsh, who also left a suicide verdict.
Why doesn’t fit within the purview of an inquest, she said to his family. There may have been a number of things going on in Bailey’s life that worried him.
The Samaritans helpline is available 24/7 at 116 123 if you need assistance with mental health issues.