A pretty schoolgirl hanged herself after allegedly being sexually abused by a lodger, it was claimed today.
Georgia Hedges, 14, was found unconscious by her devastated parents at the family’s home in Witham, Essex, just before 6pm on May 14.
She was flown by air ambulance to a local hospital before being transferred to Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge but died two days later.
On the day she died Essex Police arrested Bramwell Walls, 38, on suspicion of engaging in sexual activity with a girl aged between 13 and 15 years old.
Walls, believed to have been a lodger in Georgia’s parents’ home, was charged the next day and appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.
He was remanded in custody and is due to appear before Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court for a plea and case management hearing on July 23, 2013.
An inquest into Georgia’s death was opened yesterday by Essex Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray who heard her injuries were consistent with hanging.
Coroners officer Philip Sitch told the brief hearing in Chelmsford: “On May 14 2013 she was found at home suspended by ligature.
“An ambulance was called and extensive resuscitation was carried out.
“She was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge where she died on the morning of May 16.
“A post mortem was carried out which found that she died from hypoxic ischaemic brain damage following cardiac arrest.
“She also had a broken neck which was consistent with hanging.
“Police inquiries are being carried out to try and ascertain the circumstances leading up to this tragic event.”
Essex Police said they were continuing to investigate the cause of death.
A spokesman said: “A post-mortem was carried out on Friday and a provisional cause of death has shown the girl died of compression of the neck.”
Georgia was a pupil at Maltings Academy in Witham, Essex, where friends have been offered counselling.
School principal John Szynal told parents in a letter: “She was a popular student at the academy, well liked and respected by students and teachers.
“People are dealing with the grief in different ways and for this reason I have drafted in a group of professional counsellors to support students and staff.”
A Facebook tribute page to Georgia has attracted over 3,000 likes.
Lynn Mccormack wrote: “Why does god have to take another little angel why can’t he take all the bad people instead thinking of u all xxx”
The inquest into Georgia’s death was adjourned to be heard in full at a later date.
