Yahoo News Mentally ill teenage student, 18, killed herself without knowing she was pregnant
A teenager with mental health problems killed herself without knowing she was pregnant - 15 years after her mother’s suicide, an inquest has heard.
Yazmina Howard, 18, had a history of drug overdoses and suicide attempts when she flung herself from a bridge into oncoming traffic on the M20 London-bound carriageway in Aylesford, Kent, on October 1 2018, less than a month after a similar attempt was stopped by her on-off boyfriend.
She was sectioned but released after a day, Kent Coroner's Court was told, after convincing medics the latest episode was a blip - despite pleas from her family to have her detained for longer over fears for her safety.
Ms Howard later told mental health workers she was feeling "eight out of 10", and was optimistic about the future.
But 10 days later she killed herself, having been told by staff at Mid Kent College that she would have to retake her multimedia course following a fitness-to-study meeting - something the court heard was playing on her mind.
She was also "emotional" following her split from boyfriend Xander Jones, who previously stopped her from jumping from a bridge.
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Ms Howard’s death came 15 years after she miraculously survived falling seven storeys as a three-year-old while in the arms of her suicidal mother, Maxine.
The youngster, from Maidstone, suffered multiple injuries but went on to make a full physical recovery, although friends said she was tormented by her past.
The coroner, Eileen Sproson, recorded a verdict of suicide after hearing Ms Howard left a post on Instagram "saying her goodbyes" before leaving her possessions by the bridge and jumping off - despite desperate attempts by a passer-by to intervene.
The coroner said: "I take into account that Yazmina had previously attempted to end her own life and I take her message on Instagram as evidence that she wished to take her own life.
"It leads me to the inevitable conclusion that the intention was to take her own life.”
Ms Howard was spotted on a bridge over the M20 at about 10.10pm by motorist Daniel Curley, who told police he tried to persuade her not to jump.
But CCTV evidence showed Ms Howard spent roughly three minutes on the bridge before falling to her death.
She suffered multiple injuries after being struck by a lorry, and was probably hit by "at least two other vehicles", the court heard.
Boyfriend Mr Jones denied an allegation by Ms Howard's grandfather that he knew about the pregnancy and left the teenager "holding the baby", saying he found out "10 days after Yazmina died”.
The inquest heard Ms Howard told a friend she thought she might be pregnant but had not taken a test, while her grandfather said he was also unaware, although his wife "might have had her suspicions”.
The coroner declined to make a "prevention of future deaths" report.
For confidential emotional support at times of distress, contact The Samaritans at any time by calling 116 123 or emailing jo@samaritans.org.
