A STUDENT took his own life just days before he was due to return home from university, an inquest has heard.

Adam Elliott was 18 when he died in his room at Limes Court, Heworth, on March 9, hours after telling friends he was homesick.

An inquest at New Earswick Folk Hall heard Mr Elliott was in his first year of a computer sciences degree at York St John University, and had been planning accommodation for his second year with friends.

His flatmate Ben Martin told the inquest that Mr Elliott had joined his flatmates on a night out in York before his death, but seemed in a low mood when they returned home in the early hours.

He said: “Adam was fine, just normal really. When we got home we sat in the kitchen, and he was telling me he was feeling a little bit down. I think work got on top of him a bit, and he said he was feeling a bit homesick as well. This was the first time he’d told me he was feeling down.”

Mr Martin suggested Mr Elliott should speak with his parents, or counsellors at the university, and said Mr Elliott agreed with him before they returned to their rooms.

The next day, his flatmates became concerned about Mr Elliott, and he was found hanging in his room. A note was also discovered.

Robert Elliott, Adam’s father, told coroner Jonathan Leach his son was popular and made friends easily, which made his death all the more unexpected.

Mr Elliott said Adam either returned home to Chesterfield or was visited most weekends by parents or friends, and they spoke regularly. Adam had spoken to his mother twice the day before he died, and while he had at first seemed down, his mood had improved by the second call and he was due to visit his parents the following weekend.

He said: “He was just a run of the mill lad, nothing out of the ordinary, no logical reason for it.

“The first we knew about any intention Adam had to take his life was when we read the note. Had we known anything about it before, we would have acted on it. Even with hindsight, looking back, there’s nothing.”

The coroner recorded a verdict of suicide.

  • l If you are concerned about someone or have any thoughts about suicide, phone The Samaritans on 116123.