'Happy' Northamptonshire teenager Alfie Duncan, 15, took his own life after family dispute, inquest hears

A teenage boy from Northamptonshire described as 'happy' killed himself after a dispute with his family, an inquest heard today (Friday, April 30).

Alfie Duncan, also known as McCreadie, was found in woodland near Kislingbury in the early hours of May 12 last year.

His mother, Lisa, paid tribute to her 15-year-old son, of Bugbrooke Road, Kislingbury, during the inquest at Sessions House in Northampton.

Coroner Jean Harkin said: "She [Lisa] says he enjoyed his school and was very happy.

"She tells me that Alfie's favourite subject at school was physical education but he also liked design and technology, business studies and engineering.

"He was looking into the possibility of becoming an engineer, so much so the family went to Silverstone to look at the possibility of applying there for an apprenticeship.

"He loved all sports, he mainly played football and played for Kislingbury Football Club.

"He was a very outdoors sort of person and often went on daily walks with his dog.

"He was a typical teenager and got along with the family who were a close-knit family."

The inquest heard Alfie left the family home after the argument without his parents realising on May 11, 2020, and they called police when he did not return.

A police search and rescue team was joined by 'many others' to look for him and his body was found in the 'extremely rural' coppice at around 1am the next morning.

Toxicology reports found no alcohol or drugs in Alfie's system and both his mother and doctor reported no medical or mental health issues.

Ms Harkin said: "Mrs Duncan has confirmed that emotionally it has been very hard on the family and became harder with the Covid restrictions but they have had support from family and friends and it's clear the community felt the loss of Alfie.

She continued: "She also thanked social services and school medical staff and police for all the support they have provided to the family.

"She tells me Alfie was laid to rest on April 16 at 10am - it was a beautiful service and the whole matter has been the most difficult time for the family."

Ms Harkin recorded the death as a suicide.

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