Depressed 24-year-old gamer travelled to America and shot himself in hotel room

A young man from Cornwall shot himself with a rented gun in a hotel room in America, after warning his online gaming friends he wanted to end his life. An inquest into the death of Cameron Jacka heard how the 24-year-old was discovered dead in the bathroom of his hotel room in Alpharetta on the outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia, by concerned staff after he failed to check out and return to the UK.

The Truro born lad had travelled to America to meet a girl he had started dating online a few months before. The hearing, held in Truro today (Wednesday, October 2) was told how Cameron had enjoyed a happy childhood in Cornwall.

He went to Truro College to complete an apprenticeship in construction and enjoyed going to the gym and online gaming. Cameron did not smoke, drink or take drugs. The construction worker did however suffer from low moods, depression and anxiety at times and had mentioned wanting to take his own life in the past and received some anti-depression medication to help with his mental health.

READ MORE:Pervert gloated about sexual preference with children and dogs

READ MORE:Man died after police smashed way into care home toilet to arrest him

The inquest heard how Cameron, from Redruth, had been in a relationship with a young woman in Somerset. She broke up with him towards the end of last year but when he announced to his parents early in February that he was off with his backpack they thought he was trying to patch things up with her.

In fact, unbeknown to his friends and family Cameron travelled to Heathrow airport where he took a flight to Boston and then onto Atlanta to meet the American girl he had befriended online.

When in Georgia, he met up with the young woman and her mum and also inquired about going shooting at a local gun range, which he did with another person he became acquainted with online. While the relationship did not last, Cameron also made some inquiries through other online connections about renting or buying a gun.

On February 19, three days before he had been due to return to Britain, Cameron sent messages to two of his gaming friends in Cambridgeshire and Sweden that he would take his own life and said goodbye to them. Concerned for his welfare, both contacted Devon and Cornwall Police and the Cambridgeshire police force, who made some inquiries with Cameron's parents.

The inquest was told that his mum and dad thought he was still in the UK, possibly in Somerset, because his passport was in the house in Redruth but realised later that the corner had been clipped and it was no longer valid. It was then that Cameron's parents and friends repeatedly tried to call and message Cameron asking him to make contact urgently. His parents also filed a missing person's report.

Sign up to receive daily updates and breaking news alerts from CornwallLive straight to your inbox

He was eventually located in his room of the Extended Stay hotel in Alpharetta on February 22. A police investigation in America traced Cameron's whereabouts and conversations with various friends on messaging platforms such as Snapchat as well as the suicide notes he had written. In interviews with the local police, the girl Cameron flew to America for, as well as the people he rented the gun from, said he had seemed depressed but added that "Cameron had seemed like a normal guy".

Recording a conclusion of suicide, assistant coroner for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Emma Hillson said the notes and messages Cameron had left behind indicated it had been his intention. She added: "It is more likely than not that Cameron intended to take his own life."

⚠️ Want the latest Cornwall breaking news and top stories first? Click here to join CornwallLive on WhatsApp and we'll send breaking news and top stories directly to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice ⚠️