By Ian Duncan

Last updated at 08:29, Wednesday, 19 December 2012

A trust fund has been set up in memory of a tragic teenager who was found dead at his Brampton home in August.

Troy Dawson

Friends and family of 18-year-old Troy Lixin Dawson collected more than £1,000 at his funeral and his father said it will be used to help other troubled youngsters as part of the Troy Dawson Trust.

The inquest into his death was reopened at The Courts in Carlisle and David Roberts, coroner for north and west Cumbria, heard that Troy’s parents had become increasingly concerned for his wellbeing as he became more and more withdrawn at home.

His father Peter Dawson, of Wellmeadow, told the hearing that Troy had been a bright sixth-form student at William Howard School and was about to start a two-year foundation Art of Games Design course at the University of Cumbria.

He said: “He was always a very quiet boy which was brought to the attention of various people. He was a brilliant student with no problems at all. He loved school.”

Mr Dawson added that his son, who was studying several subjects at A-level including law and psychology, had dropped some to concentrate on his design work.

He said: “He was a Jekyll and Hyde character. With his friends at school he was brilliant and humorous, telling jokes, and never saying a bad word about anybody.

“He was a different person at school to what he was with us at home – he went into his shell at home.”

Mr Dawson said that he had raised his concerns with teachers at William Howard School and added: “He was the best student they’ve ever had. Such a talent wasted.”

He said that he wished he had done more to help his son and he hoped the trust fund could help others who found themselves, or their loved ones, in a similar situation.

“We lost him two years ago when he went into his shell,” he said.

Mr Dawson said that the funds could also provide scholarships to help other students. He added: “I’ve told the school if I can help in any way, by talking to parents. I hope the school has learned from this.”

According to a post mortem examination by pathologist Dr Mary Jenkins, the cause of death was determined as asphyxia caused by hanging.

In a statement, Maxwell Robertson, the senior lecturer on the university design course, confirmed that Troy fitted all the criteria needed for the course.

The coroner said that he agreed with the cause of death put forward in the Dr Jenkins’ statement and gave his verdict that Troy had taken his own life.

First published at 08:27, Wednesday, 19 December 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk