Investigation underway into teen suicides
- 00:01:22
- ITN
Investigation underway into teen suicides
An investigation is underway into the deaths of two teenagers from a community blighted by a spate of suicides.Cousins Nathaniel Pritchard, 15, and Kelly Stephenson, 20, died within hours of each other in separate incidents in Bridgend County, South Wales.A total of fourteen other youngsters are believed to have committed suicide in the area in just over a year.Nathaniel is thought to have died on Friday after being taken to hospital on February 13, while Kelly was found dead in the early hours of Friday at a house in Folkestone, Kent, an area she was visiting.Social networking sites have been carrying messages for the teenagers; one girl describing herself as Nathaniel's "big sis" wrote: "We all cant get over what u have done and dont understand why."One neightbour said: "The first I knew about it was when I saw the ambulances on Wednesday. It's just so sad, and you've got to worry for your own kids. My 16-year-old daughter saw Nathaniel on the day it happened and he seemed fine."A 43-year-old woman who has worked with both Nathaniel and Ms Stephenson's parents said: "We've seen them both grow up. You don't expect this to happen on your street. They are such a big, close family."Police are refusing to confirm how the teenagers killed themselves but said neither death was being treated as suspicious.They are also seeking to play down a link between the two teenage deaths and the other suicides within the area.Bridgend AM's Carwyn Jones said: "It's important to understand that there is no link between the recent suicides in Bridgend, and each new death needs to be investigated individually."Obviously, I pass my sympathy to the families of Nathaniel Pritchard and Kelly Stephenson on their double loss."Young people are being urged to seek help if they are facing any problems.Childline can be contacted on 0800 1111, the local branch of Samaritans in Bridgend can be contacted on 01656 662333 and Papyrus, specialists in preventing young suicide, can be reached on 01282 432555.© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.
ITN | February 16, 2008
