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Suicide Or Murder? No Evidence Of Drunk Teen, 14, Who Was Found Hanged In Bedroom After Drinking Game, Intended To Kill Herself

By Angelica N. Sumter
Published on: 06:39 PST, May 26, 2015

Investigators are now seeking answers after a medical examiner finds no evidence that a drunk teen, 14, who was found hanging from the bedroom ceiling by party goers, intended to kill herself, according to Mirror.

In December 2013, Sarah Clerkson of Sunderland – who lived with a foster family – was found in a bedroom hanging from the ceiling. Party goers told investigators that she was a part of drinking game where a participant had to consume alcohol each time they lose. Clerkson seemed to have lost more times than the other 12 teens that attended that party, which was held in Spennymoor.

Sources say that after Clerkson had drunk Whisky, Disaronno, and an amaretto liqueur, she had gotten “very sick” to the point where she had to be escorted to the bedroom to lay down.

An hour later, the teens told investigators that they found Clerkson dead in the bedroom. She apparently hung herself within the hour she was left alone in the bedroom, according to Daily Mail.

When paramedics arrived, they tried to revive her but was unsuccessful. She was pronounced dead at the University Hospital of North Durham.

“There was a drinking game which Sarah did take part in,” said Coroner Andrew Tweddle.

“It involved the loser having to drink an alcoholic drink and Sarah was described as having drunk quite a considerable amount of whisky and Disaronno.”

“It is clear… that Sarah had had quite a troubled time in the weeks, months and possibly years prior to coming to you,” said Andrew Young who was her foster father. “But she never displayed anything when she was with us.”

“We wanted her to do hobbies and activities and things that would take her mind off the bad situation she had been in in the past. We took her to college open days to see the possibilities if she stayed with us.”

Clerkson was staying with Young and his family before her death for a short period of time, but he was doing all that he could to make her stay permanent.

“Notepads and books she wrote in were examined after her death, and although she had mentioned self-harm in the past, there was no mention of suicide,” Tweddle said.

“She might have done, but might is not enough. I do have reasonable doubt in my mind. Sarah is entitled to the benefit of that doubt, therefore I will not say that she committed suicide.”

“The appropriate conclusion is an open one.”

The investigation continues as police are still trying to uncover if Sarah Clerkson killed herself or if she was murdered.

[Image courtesy of Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images]

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