Teenager who ‘hid emotions so well’ killed himself while his parents were on holiday, inquest hears

A heartbroken teenager killed himself after his girlfriend broke up with him while his parents who had ‘no idea’ he was suffering were abroad, an inquest heard.  

Kieran Froude, 19, was found dead at home near Gosport, Hampshire, on the day he was due to meet his former girlfriend after their four-year relationship ended. 

His devastated parents Tony and Allen were on holiday in France when Mr Froude died of suicide in the afternoon of September 7 last year. 

An inquest yesterday heard how the pair had ‘absolutely no idea’ about their son’s anguish because he ‘hid his emotions so well’. 

Kieran Froude (pictured) was found dead at home near Gosport, Hampshire, on the day he was due to meet his former girlfriend after their four-year relationship ended

Coroner Samantha Marsh cautioned against concealing mental health struggles days after news of Caroline Flack’s suicide shocked Britain. 

Ms Marsh also warned of the need to ‘break the stigma’ of mental health as it emerged last year that suicide was the most common cause of death for men aged between 20 and 49, according to the Office for National Statistics. 

She said: ‘With what’s been happening in the national media it’s important to recognise that everybody should be able to reach out and admit they are struggling.

‘As a society we need to break the stigma of mental health for men.’ 

Mr Froude, of Lee-on-Solent, was due to meet his ex-girlfriend Taylor Dudley (pictured left) before he tragically decided to take his own life last September

Mr Froude, of Lee-on-Solent, was due to meet his ex-girlfriend Taylor Dudley (pictured left) before he tragically decided to take his own life last September

An inquest at Portsmouth Coroner's Court heard how he sent a flurry of texts and tried to call Ms Dudley. He did not then answer when she tried to get back in touch with him. Ms Dudley called police, it emerged, with Mr Froude pronounced dead at 4.11pm

An inquest at Portsmouth Coroner’s Court heard how he sent a flurry of texts and tried to call Ms Dudley. He did not then answer when she tried to get back in touch with him. Ms Dudley called police, it emerged, with Mr Froude pronounced dead at 4.11pm

Male suicide rates HIGH as national rates fall, Office for National Statistics warns

Research commissioned by the Office for National Statistics indicates that suicide among men in Britain aged between 20 and 49 was the most common cause of death in 2018

There were 6,507 suicides registered in Britain, an age-standardised rate of 11.2 deaths per 100,000 population. The latest rate is significantly higher than that in 2017 and represents the first increase since 2013.

Three-quarters of registered deaths in 2018 were among men, which has been the case since the mid-1990s.

The male suicide rate of 17.2 deaths per 100,000 represents a significant increase from the rate in 2017. For females, the British rate was 5.4 deaths per 100,000, consistent with the rates over the past 10 years.

Nick Stripe, Head of Health Analysis and Life Events, said: ‘We saw a significant increase in the rate of deaths registered as suicide last year which has changed a trend of continuous decline since 2013. 

‘While the exact reasons for this are unknown, the latest data show that this was largely driven by an increase among men who have continued to be most at risk of dying by suicide.  

‘Looking at the overall trend since the early 80s, we are still witnessing a gradual decline in the rate of suicide for the population as a whole. 

‘We will continue to monitor the recent increase, to help inform decision makers and others that are working to protect vulnerable people at risk.’

Mr Froude, of Lee-on-Solent, was due to meet his ex-girlfriend Taylor Dudley before he tragically decided to take his own life last September.

An inquest at Portsmouth Coroner’s Court heard how he sent a flurry of texts and tried to call Ms Dudley.

He did not then answer when she tried to get back in touch with him. 

Ms Dudley called police, it emerged, with Mr Froude pronounced dead at 4.11pm.    

His mother Ellen, 45, told the hearing: ‘He hid his emotions so well, we had absolutely no idea. 

‘People need to know that this isn’t the solution to their problems, even if it feels like it at the time.’

Miss Dudley, 19, said of her ex-boyfriend: ‘He was such a good person; he was always there for his friends and for me. We did everything together and he made me so happy. 

‘I’m so glad I got those four years of being loved and getting to love him. 

She added: ‘Anyone would rather spend endless time making sure someone’s OK than speaking at their funeral.’

Mr Froude’s suicide comes as news of the death of beloved TV presenter Ms Flack at her east London flat over the weekend continues to shock Britain.  

Alongside contestants Sophie Gradon and Mike Thalassitis, both of whom died in 2018 and 2019 respectively, Ms Flack, who hosted five seasons of Love Island, is now the fourth person associated with the programme to have died of suicide. 

The 40-year-old presenter died of suicide hours after it was announced that she would be charged with assaulting her boyfriend Lewis Burton, 27. 

It has been claimed that paramedics were sent to her home the day before she was found dead, following fears for her welfare, but she was not taken to hospital. 

Ms Flack was understood to be horrified by the prospect of a ‘show trial’ over an alleged assault and was worried she could not cope with the fallout. 

Friends said she was tormented over the idea of a jury being shown police ‘bodycam’ footage taken during the night she was accused of attacking Mr Burton. 

She had hoped the trial would not go ahead.

A court had heard last December how police had found the pair covered in blood and that Ms Flack had cuts to her wrist.

The revelations about her mental health prompted questions about whether she was given enough help to tackle her depression and panic attacks.

For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123, visit a local branch or go to www.samaritans.org.  

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