The Inquest touching upon the death of Jennifer (‘Jen’) Chalkley begins this Monday, 22 January 2024, before the Woking Coroner’s Court.
Jen died by suicide on 12 October 2021, when she was 17 years old.
Jen had been known to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) since 2018, after disclosing to her teacher at school that she was planning to take her own life. Jen was just 14 years old. She was hospitalised twice following suicide attempts in 2021, but discharged from CAMHS during a telephone call in June 2021. Less than two weeks prior to her death, she revealed to staff at Guildford College that she had been researching ways to to complete her suicide.
Jen was diagnosed with Attention Hyperactivity Deficit Disorder (ADHD) when she was 10 years old. She was diagnosed with Autism when she was 11 years old.
The family ask for privacy during the course of the Inquest. Any media enquiries should be directed to the family’s solicitor.
Jen’s family is represented by Daniel Lemberger Cooper and Patrick Dunne of Imran Khan and Partners solicitors. Counsel Maya Sikand KC of Doughty Street Chambers is instructed.
The Inquest is listed for three weeks and will be heard before HM Senior Coroner Richard Travers. Alison Hewitt of 5 Essex Chambers is Counsel to the Inquest. Other interested persons represented at the Inquest include the Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Trust, Surrey County Council, and Guildford College.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
For further information, please contact Patrick Dunne on PatrickD@ikpsolicitors.com.