The mother of a teenager who hanged himself after being subjected to rape allegations has committed suicide in the same way shortly after the anniversary of his death.

The family of Karin Cheshire, 55, said she “could not see a future” without her son, Jay, whose body was found in a park near their home after being accused of rape.

The rape complaint was withdrawn after two weeks but the claims were said to have deeply affected the 17-year-old and his family.

Ms Cheshire had wanted to investigate the police’s handling of the case but became deeply depressed. An inquest into her death found she died on July 18 of the same causes as her son – asphyxiation.

Her brother, Simon Cheshire, 58, said: “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.” Ms Cheshire, from Southampton, Hampshire, left behind a daughter.