Henry Grierson

I am Angela BROCKLEHURST, HM Assistant Coroner for the coroner area of West Yorkshire Western Coroner Area

On 30 April 2024 I commenced an investigation into the death of Henry Joseph GRIERSON aged 17. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 31 October 2024. The conclusion of the inquest was that: See Narrative Conclusion.

Henry was as last seen by his parents on the 20th April 24, at 22:15 hours at his home address when he went to bed. He was described as being in good spirits. After his parents had gone to bed, it is believed Henry has left the address in his fathers mother vehicle and is stopped by the Police and the vehicle was seized by Police at 02:15 hours. Following this it is believed Henry has returned home and written in a diary his intention to commit suicide to his family members and has time stamped these in the diary. The time when he started was 0613 hours and finished it at 06:41 hours. It is then believed Henry has taken a length of blue rope from his father’s shed and has left the area and walked to a wooded area behind the William Henry school in Rastrick. Henry has then [REDACTED]. Henry was found by the a member of the public who was out walking their dog. The emergency services have been contacted and on arrival the Police, have started CPR until the Paramedics arrived who reported life extinct at 10:11 hours.

During the course of the investigation my inquiries revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken.  In the circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you. The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows: (brief summary of matters of concern) On the 13th November 2023 Henry Joseph Grierson with the consent of his Parents discontinued his referral and treatment from the organisation CAMHS, and on the 9th April 2024, Mr Grierson gave notice if his intention to discharge himself from the support organisation Recovery Steps. No evidence has been presented to this Inquest as to the knowledge of these matters by the safeguarding team at Huddersfield New College. No information concerning the current mental health issues of Mr Grierson had been provided to the College within a mitigation statement provided by him. The evidence before the Court is that the latest communication concerning Mr Grierson’s mental health provided by CAMHS was dated October 2023. It is a matter of concern that communication between the college and CAMHS and Recovery Steps was not seemingly maintained to enable an awareness by the College of the current mental health of Mr Grierson in April 2024 and the decisions taken by himself and his family, to remove such external support.

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you (and/or your organisation) have the power to take such action.