An inquest heard that an 18-year-old model student at a prestigious boarding school was discovered hanging after a binge on 10 pints of alcohol.
Before he was discovered dead in his room at Malvern College, James Pickering, better known as “Jimmy,” had been dealing with melancholy for some months.
Described as the “talisman” of the college squad, the gifted rugby player was seen by pals on the morning of January 9 of this year.
The night before he passed away, he had eight to ten pints of beer with friends and was said to have been in “high spirits.” He also texted pictures of himself with his buddies to his family.
James had submitted an application to a university but was having mental health issues before to his death, according to Senior Coroner David Reid, who spoke at the inquest on Wednesday.
James’s doctor was worried that he had depression since he was having panic attacks, was depressed, and had trouble sleeping.
Antidepressants were given for him and he was sent to a child and adolescent psychiatrist.
James was also seeing a counsellor, and he admitted to a psychiatrist that he found it difficult to miss school after missing three months of class in October 2019 and again in January 2020 due to severe stomach infections.
“After this, he failed to bounce back as one would have anticipated,” James’ father Alec said before the inquest.
The cause of death was listed suffocation from hanging by the coroner, who noted that “it may or may not have been his desire to end his own life.”
CS Lewis, Sir Chris Whitty, and Jeremy Paxman are former students of the £39,000-per-year independent Malvern College.
James was a well-liked and respected employee of the school who will be dearly missed by students and staff, said headmaster Keith Metcalfe in a statement after the inquest.
He embodied the traits we want our students to have: academic excellence, involvement in extracurricular activities, and a commitment to the arts.
James has been referred to be our rugby team’s “talisman” and expected high standards of both himself and others.
He was on standby for Gloucester Rugby’s Under 18s.
He was regarded as one of the faculty members who is most admired and respected.
James’ Housemaster, Richard Howitt, said that James was a remarkable young man who was well-liked by everyone in his House.
He would have undoubtedly had a great impact on the world, and everyone who knew him will miss him dearly.
“Without that strong, loving, loyal centre, we as a community are left empty with his loss,” the statement said, “He was at the centre of everything we did as a House.”
Although James was having difficulties, he was getting better, the man stated, adding, “It was like he got a spring back in his step.”
Alec, his father, characterised his son as “a very extroverted guy” who “wore his emotions on his sleeve” and who was “kind, sensitive, and compassionate.”
Since his passing, his friends established the James Pickering Foundation, which has earned more than £45,000 to far.
His family will use this money to support organisations that fight juvenile suicide and mental health issues.
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