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An Aylesford teenager who took his own life has been described as a model student who was popular with friends.
An inquest at Archbishop's Palace, Maidstone, today heard Ryan Hughes had left his bedroom at home in Bull Lane, Eccles, via the window on the night on February 17 during stormy weather caused by Storm Eunice.
CCTV evidence had later shown him walking to Aylesford from his home before walking down towards the river.
Ryan’s family had reported him missing the next day and a police search had been launched after his father, Daron, had looked at his son’s phone and seen he’d viewed a YouTube video regarding suicide.
Ryan was described as a “model student” who was studying for A-levels in Geography, Chemistry and Maths at Oakwood Park Grammar School. He was said to be organised and top of his school work, and was considering an apprenticeship having previously thought about going to university.
He had a good friendship group, was on no medication and neither the police or social services had previously had contact with the family.
The evening he disappeared he had been watching darts on TV with his family and had appeared in a good mood before going to his bedroom.
The inquest heard details of the “huge search” that was launched by police with assistance from search and rescue volunteers on February 20, with search efforts scouring the river from Aylesford to Allington and downriver to Rochester.
Police also spoke to Ryan’s friends, but they had not seen him since school had broken up for half-term. They had described him as a “happy, cheerful and fun person” who enjoyed gaming.
But he had told one friend he had gone to the bridge and thought about jumping off, following a disagreement with his dad over the amount of time he spent gaming in November - but had also said he was joking.
It was also heard that between November and the end of January he had spent £1,135 in savings, largely on gaming.
The search to find Ryan had come to a conclusion on March 10, when a dog walker saw his body while walking along the tow path by the river behind Lipscomb Fiat dealership in Forstal Road.
The cause of death was later confirmed to be submersion.
Coroner James Dillon weighed up the evidence and said despite no evidence of depression or previous attempts at self harm, there was evidence he deliberately took his own life - noting the YouTube video, the spending of his savings, and the fact “Ryan walked with purpose to the village on a stormy night”, with no phone or extra clothing for spending a longer period of time away.
He also noted the previous comment about jumping in the river and said there was more evidence to suggest it was deliberate.
He gave a conclusion of suicide, adding: “I’m satisfied that the circumstances indicate Ryan very deliberately took himself out of his bedroom and snuck out in the middle of the night having done some limited research in terms of drowning and took himself to the river.”
