by Alan Smith

A second inquest into the death of a talented young schoolboy found hanged in his home has concluded he did not deliberately take his own life.

William Stanesby, 12, was discovered by his mother Sabrina Stanesby at their home in Holmewood Ridge, Langton Green, with his school tie anchored around a cupboard door handle on June 23 this year.

At an initial inquest held in September, Insp Simon Davey suggested it was very likely that William had “been experimenting in some way” possibly in something called “the fainting game.”

There was no suicide note and coroner Roger Hatch felt he could record only an open verdict - leaving the circumstances of William’s death unexplained.

Since then new evidence has come to light, with other pupils at The Judd School in Tonbridge, where William was a pupil, coming forward to say that William had previously played the fainting game and had shown them what he did.

The inquest was re-opened last week with Mrs Stanesby, 55, telling the court: “My firmly held opinion is it was a game and William had no intention of taking his own life.”

Insp Davy told the resumed inquest that classmates had told a teacher how William had “made his face go red” and stopped breathing.

The same coroner recorded a new verdict of death by misadventure.
Robert Masters, headmaster at The Judd said: “Previously the open verdict left room for conjecture.

“The further evidence presented enabled the coroner to declare that he could discount the possibility that William took his own life deliberately.

“He then recorded a verdict of death by misadventure, saying that on the balance of probabilities William died while experimenting with the choking game.

“It is a relief that the coroner has now determined the verdict that many of us believed would be recorded.

“The grieving process continues, but this will certainly help many in their understanding of why William died. We continue to cherish his memory.”

William’s father David Stanesby said: “We are satisfied that misadventure better represents the truth because William had everything to live for.

“He had done very well in his first year exams at The Judd with a report full of As, with six A*s. William was also ready to take his Grade 8 guitar and Grade 6 oboe exams. He was an excellent swimmer and marksman, achieving his first maximum score of 100 last year.

“He sailed, fenced, played cricket and squash and still managed to be a keen Scout.

“William was a happy, lively and adventurous boy.”