A MOTHER is warning other parents about the dangers of the dark web after her “beautiful” and “talented” teenage daughter took her own life after accessing it.

Leilani Clarke, a Twynham School pupil, died at her home in Bournemouth on February 7. An inquest into the 16-year-old’s death was held at Bournemouth Coroner’s Court yesterday.

Her mum, Bonnie Mellor, told the inquest that the night before Leilani’s death she had been upset following some disappointing mock GCSE results. She went to her bedroom after dinner but showed “no indication she wanted to harm herself”.

Mrs Mellor explained to coroner Rachael Griffin that her daughter “kept herself to herself” but did not have a history of any mental health issues.

“She was happy in her own company. She liked being in her room and chatting to friends online. She taught herself Korean, Japanese and was into K-pop bands. She was an incredible artist.”

The next morning, however, Mrs Mellor found Leilani “collapsed and unresponsive”. An ambulance was called, but paramedics confirmed she had died.

It was only after Leilani’s death that Mrs Mellor discovered her daughter had frequented an online chatroom to record her thoughts in the form of a diary. A post written a few days before her death revealed she had written a suicide letter. It also revealed she felt she had “no hope” following her exam results.

Mrs Mellor was able to trace Leilani’s suicidal thoughts back to September 2017 through the online diary. A notebook in which she drew a cartoon alter ego was also discovered, which revealed her state of mind leading up to her death.

However, a subsequent police investigation, in which Leilani’s laptop was searched, found on the night of her death she had been accepted into a “very dark, suicidal chatroom”.

“I have no idea how she found it,” Mrs Mellor told the inquest.

Detective inspector May, who spoke about the police investigation at the inquest, confirmed Leilani had been accessing the dark web.

“It’s the internet’s underworld,” Ms Griffin added.

She said a post-mortem carried out on February 13 gave the cause of Leilani’s death as ‘ligature suspension’. A number of ‘tentative superficial cuts’ were also found on her forearms, hand and leg.

After recording a verdict of suicide, Ms Griffin took the opportunity to warn others, especially parents, about the dark web.

“Leilani hadn’t sought help from friends and family but encouragement from horrendous websites which prey on the vulnerable,” she said.

“Leilani was a beautiful, bright and creative 16-year-old who had her whole future ahead of her.”

She added: “She was a girl who clearly had very distressing thoughts for some time. The reason was worries in relation to her studies and education, which were compounded when she received her mock GCSE results.”

Speaking after the inquest, Mrs Mellor echoed the warning and urged anyone feeling helpless, under pressure, or suicidal, especially young people, to reach out and seek help.

"Lani was our sunshine - a funny, beautiful and gifted daughter and we will miss her forever," she said.

"We are broken hearted that she felt unable to share the things which were troubling her. It is so important to keep the discussion going on mental illness so those struggling feel they can reach out and get help instead of suffering in silence."

Anyone who needs support or advice in relation to suicide is urged to call the Samaritans on 116 123. Alternatively, there is Childline (for children and young people under 19) on 0800 1111