Inquest delivers its verdict into Oliver Cavey from Kemsing, Sevenoaks, who was found dead at a house
Published: 11:00, 15 May 2015
Updated: 11:12, 15 May 2015
A 13-year-old boy was found hanged at his house just hours after chatting with his dad and receiving some sweets, an inquest heard.
The hearing into Oliver Cavey, a keen magician and described as a gifted student, was held this morning.
His death in March sparked shock among pupils and staff at his school - Lingfield Notre Dame in Surrey.
At the short hearing coroner Roger Hatch recorded Oliver had taken his own life. He was discovered by his mother, Susan, in an attic room.
The inquest, at Gravesend's Old Town Hall, was told Oliver had tried to take his life once before, but had seemed normal and happy in the run-up to the tragedy.
Detective Dave Liffen told the hearing the youngster was found just before 10pm. His dad, Miles, had visited him at his mother's house at around 7pm the same night and given him some Haribo sweets.
"This news was a tremendous shock to everyone in the school community..." - head teacher Richard Bool
Oliver left a note making clear his family had nothing to do with his actions and said he harboured secret feelings of wanting to end his life.
Poignantly, his note said he hoped his family had a "magical life".
Mr Cavey told the inquest Oliver had not taken his parents' separation well, but said he had no concerns for his state of mind. He said Oliver was an "extremely deep and thoughtful" person.
Oliver's head teacher Richard Bool had paid tribute earlier this year.
He said at the time: "It is with great sadness that I confirm Oliver Cavey, a pupil at Lingfield Notre Dame Senior School in Lingfield, died unexpectedly on the evening of Monday March 9.
“His parents have allowed us to say that he took his own life and this news was a tremendous shock to everyone in the school community.
"As a school we would like to express our heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathy to Oliver's family at this distressing time.
"Oliver was an exceptionally talented boy; he was one of our top scholars and he was incredibly popular, both with the pupils in his year group and with the wider school community.
Oliver also attended the Housley School of Dance in Sevenoaks. Pupils and staff there vowed to perform in his memory and 'make Oli and his wonderful family proud.'
Kent Police did not treat the youngster's death as suspicious.
If you would like confidential support on an emotional issue, call Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 at any time.
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Kent Messenger reporter