A coroner has described the death of a Weymouth schoolboy as ‘so very tragic’ as a fundraiser in his memory reaches more than £8,000.

Trey Rodd, 15, died at his home in Weymouth in the early hours of October 30, 2022.

The teenager, who worked for a fish and chip restaurant at Bowleaze Cove, has been described as a ‘very popular young man’ who had plans to join the army.

In the hours before his death, Trey was said to be in good spirits as he enjoyed a day out go-karting in Exeter before getting ready for an end-of-season work party in the evening.

He was said to be seen comforting a friend at the party before leaving to join his father, Alan, at a house party with his own colleagues later in the evening of October 29.

A short inquest into Trey’s death was held at Bournemouth Coroners Court on April 20, where coroner Rachael Griffin read out statements from his family, friends and medical professionals.

The hearing heard that Trey told his dad he was going to leave the house party to check on the dog at home, as there had been fireworks that night.

He was seen returning to his house on the Ring Doorbell in Weymouth at about 12.35am on October 30.

Mr Rodd returned home just before 2am and expected his son to still be up, but received no response when he tried the doorbell.

After obtaining a spare key for the front door, Trey’s father gained entry to the house just after 2am, where he found his son had tragically taken his own life.

Regarding his mental health, the inquest heard that Trey reassured friends and family that he was ‘fine’ and refused any further help before being deemed ‘low risk’ by authorities.

Ms Griffin said the 15-year-old had been heavily impacted by the unexpected suicide of a close friend and death of a grandparent.

The inquest heard that Trey was ‘so convincing’ when he told people around him that he was okay, and was described by his mum Nina as ‘a sensitive soul’.

"They just don’t understand whatever made him feel that way and do what he has done," Ms Griffin said.

Reading a statement from his father, the coroner said that Trey had been ‘upbeat’ the day before his death and was ‘more affectionate than he had been’.

Ms Griffin explained that the family ‘had some concerns’ about messages and information that the schoolboy had shared online.

This had involved access to the mental health service SHOUT, while Ms Rodd had also discovered two notes in Trey’s bedroom, which had the ‘appearance of suicide notes.’

"He said he had written them in anger and did not plan to act on what he had said," Ms Griffin said.

The inquest learned that Trey had expressed to his close friends about feeling ‘empty’.

"He had low self esteem and felt that nobody cared about him," one friend recalled.

In her conclusion, Ms Griffin recorded Trey’s cause of death as suicide, adding he ‘clearly had thoughts about ending his life before’ and that he ‘intended’ to cause his death on October 30.

"It is very clear to me how close he was to his family and friends and how loved he was and continues to be," the coroner said.

"There is evidence that he had talked to others about feeling low but assured everyone around him that he did not intend to harm himself.

"I do not believe any more support could have been provided by Trey’s family and friends.

"It is so very tragic what happened and my thoughts are with his family and friends and all those who knew him."

To view the fundraiser for Trey, in aid of Gully's Place Trust Fund, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/trey-rodd

If you are struggling now, or if you are worried about someone else, there are places you can go to get support:

  • Call Samaritans on 116 123
  • Call Connection, Dorset's mental health helpline, on 0800 652 0190
  • Text SHOUT to 85258