Karin Cheshire (right) has committed suicide only days after the anniversary of her son Jay Cheshire’s death (Picture: Solent News)

The mother of a teenager who hanged himself after being falsely accused of rape has committed suicide just days after the anniversary of her son’s death.

Schoolgirl hanged herself while coming to terms with alleged sex attack

Karin Cheshire, 55, fell into depression after her son Jay Cheshire’s body was found in a park near their home in Southampton.

Her brother, Simon Cheshire, 58, said the mother-of-two was so desperate to investigate the allegations against Jay and believed the police had mishandled the situation.

An inquest found that Karin died on July 18 from asphyxiation as a result of hanging – the same way her 17-year-old son had died.


Karin’s body was found at her home in Southampton (Picture: Solent News)

Her body was discovered by neighbours at her home in the Bitterne area of Southampton after becoming worried that they had not seen or heard from her.



She leaves behind daughter Camellia, 21, who is said to be ‘numb’ at losing a second close family member in the space of 12 months.

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Simon, a father of three, said: ‘I now think Karin had been preparing for this, as we’ve been clearing out her house for the past three months.

‘It came to the anniversary of Jay’s death and, sadly, although I almost expected her to do something, I’m shocked she actually took her life in the same fashion. She just couldn’t see a future without Jay.’

He said he last saw his sister on July 1, shortly before the anniversary of Jay’s death, and described Karin as looking ‘vacant’ and ‘zombie-like’.

Jay with his sister Camilla Cheshire in 2014 (Picture: Solent)

Jay, 17, was a sixth form student at Bitterne Park School in Southampton studying English Literature, Film Studies and Geography – and hoped to become a history teacher or a writer.

But he became the centre of a police investigation when he was accused of rape.

Cyclist dragged into park to be gang raped

The investigation ended two weeks later when the alleged victim dropped the allegation but Jay was said to be ‘absolutely distraught’ by the accusations and hanged himself on July 3.

Speaking about Jay’s death, Simon said: ‘We think the allegations tipped him over the edge. He was a well-loved student, who was bright and caring, and for him to do something like that just didn’t make sense.

‘The anger I feel is that this girl and her mum have taken two lives with their allegations.’

For confidential support in the UK, call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 or visit a local Samaritans branch.

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