Overview
- Sam Coutts, an A-level student, was found dead in the toilets at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College on January 13 after emergency services were called over welfare concerns.
- The inquest opened at Crook Coroners' Court on February 11 with his mother, Kirsten Coutts, in attendance.
- Senior Coroner Jeremy Chipperfield adjourned the case until March 18 at 9am to allow further evidence to be gathered.
- Coroners' officer Bradley King told the hearing that Sam was found dead at the college and outlined the basic circumstances.
- His family say he had been withdrawing and struggling with autism-related isolation, and they urged people to consider the impact of their words.