The devastated parents of a "clever and caring" teenager who died after being bullied for being autistic say their son was let down by a lack of support.

Stefan Kluibenschadl's parents Emma and Tristan spoke outside County Hall in Maidstone, where the two-day inquest into the 15-year-old's death concluded yesterday.

The hearing heard Stefan was found hanging but still alive in his bedroom in Margate earlier this year.

He was taken to hospital but died six days later after falling into a coma.

But a coroner said she could not conclude suicide as he had asked a friend to visit him that afternoon.

Catherine Wood said she did not have the evidence to conclude misadventures or give an open verdict either.

Instead, she gave a narrative verdict saying his cause of death was hypoxia of the brain due to asphyxiation caused by hanging.

She summed up at the hearing: "He died as a consequence of his own actions, his intentions being unknown."

The conclusion also added that he had autism and dyslexia.

In a statement his parents said Stefan was "bullied by those who are ignorant and do not wish to understand or accept neurodiversity" and that he was "let down by the lack of services for autistic children".

During the inquest, it was heard that Stefan was found suspended by his father, retired policeman Tristan Kluibenschadl, on March 20 this year.

He had come home after missing two buses to go to Canterbury and then contacted a friend to invite him to his home.

He was first taken to the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital in Margate and then flown to the Kings Hospital in London.

At the hearing, his parents said Stefan had been bullied for being autistic after he took on a part time job as a butcher's assistant.

But he was taunted by people he encountered during his work, and eventually quit and became withdrawn.

Mr Kluibenschadl told the inquest that Stefan was discovered to have problems at the age of three years and nine months.

He had been found to be struggling with his speech compared with his peers.

Yet he later proved to be academically bright, for example doing well in his mock GCSEs.

Stefan's parents told the hearing they fought with relevant authorities over the years to get him the help he needed.

He was not diagnosed with being autistic until January 2012 and was later found to also be dyslexic.

Stefan also ended up trying to hide from people the fact that he attended a specialist school.

Mr Kluibenschadl said Stefan was told "no one would go out with him" because of the school he went to.

"They drained every bit of his self-confidence until he felt he was worthless," he said.

"He wore a face mask and baseball cap so no one would see him going to the school."

Det Insp Martyn Glynn told the hearing that police had investigated the allegations of bullying under the Protection from Harassment Act.

That was concluded and no further action was taken.

Towards the end of the two day inquest, a heartbreaking tribute video was played showing film and photographs of Stefan through his tragically short life.

The images showed him as a newborn baby, a toddler and right through to teenager including an image of him in hospital.

His parents, overcome with sorrow, held each other for comfort as the images were played.

In a moving tribute to their son, they said: "Stefan was a beautiful boy in every way.

"He was kind, clever caring and funny and would always look out for other people.

"We as a family are devastated at the loss of the life we all had together and the life that he and we would have had.

"Stefan touched so many lives for the better and has left an indescribable hole in all our hearts and our lives. We miss him terribly.

"Stefan was bullied by those who are ignorant and who do not wish to understand or accept neurodiversity.

"Then, when he needed help, he was let down by lack of services for autistic children by the very authorities who should have been there to support him and who fail vulnerable children and adults time and time again.

"Mental Health provision has to change to stop our children dying."

NHS Kent and Medway have issued a statement in response.

Chief Nurse Dame Eileen Sills said, "We send our heartfelt condolences to Stefan’s family on the loss of their son.

“We remain committed to listening to children, young people, parents, carers and their families to improve our understanding of their experiences of services.

“This will help all organisations that work in partnership to continue to develop the support and services needed by children and young people, especially those with neurodiverse needs.”