A TEENAGER who struggled with undiagnosed mental health issues, took ecstasy before he killed himself, an inquest heard.

Scott Flavill, 17, a student at Boswells School, Chelmsford hanged himself at his home address of Coppins Close, Springfield on Saturday, July 1.

His parents and family sat quietly at Chelmsford Coroners Court as evidence was read out about the teens death.

Police attended the home and found notes with a pin code to his phone so it could be accessed.

A post-mortem was carried out at Broomfield Hospital, where a pathologist confirmed the cause of his death was multiple system failure due to asphyxiation and strangulation by hanging.

The toxicology report also revealed that Scott had ecstasy and Xanax in his system, which the coroner said could have played a part in his death, but was not the main cause.

Detective Inspector Wood, who carried out an investigation into Scott's death, gave evidence at the inquest, which his parents, relatives and family vicar all attended.

He said: "Scott was found hanging in his garage by a family member. Three Post-It notes were found at the scene and one of them gave information so that his phone could be opened up.

"There were no suspicious circumstances to his death. The notes that he had left reflected a struggle with some mental health issues that the family were not aware of. Not even his school friends or teachers knew or had any indication of what he was going through.

"The drugs probably helped him deal with what was going on in his head.

"From speaking closely with mum and dad, clearly he was a much-loved young man who just got his AS level results and did well on them and he was due to start a Saturday job. He was a young lad that had everything planned."

Concluding the inquest, senior coroner, Caroline Beasley-Murray, said Mr Flavill intended to take his own life.

"It must be very difficult for you to be present at this inquest today and to lose Scott under such tragic circumstances," she said.

"I have to be sure that he took deliberate actions to do this and I am sure. With the notes that he left and the methods that he used I am sure that he intended to take his own life.

"Scott Flavill killed himself whilst the balance of his mind was disturbed. We will never know what was going through his mind.

"I express my condolences to you. He was clearly so loved and had so much going for him. He had a loving family, he was intelligent and was so popular with all the friends who wrote in the book of condolences.

"I express sympathy to you and hope you can look back on happy memories you have with Scott."