A TROUBLED teenager took her own life after a voice in her head told her to kill herself, an inquest has heard.

Ava Broom, 18, who claimed she had been raped and sexually abused in the past, had a history of self-harming and had taken overdoses, although carers believed she was not a suicide risk.

Her body was found when her foster carers, Steve and Tracey Broom, returned home to Eastwick Road, Taunton, after going shopping on February 3 last year.

Ava, one of eight siblings born in Bridgwater, where she had attended Chilton Trinity School, had recently changed her name from Taylor Sutcliffe after living with the Brooms since 2012.

Mrs Broom told the inquest Ava had initially been shy, avoiding eye contact and was often sent home for being disruptive at school.

"But she opened up and became more engaging, although she continued to self-harm, but didn't need hospital treatment," said Mrs Broom.

The teenager enjoyed lots of "good times", was happy at home, had friends visiting and went on holidays and to parties, added Mrs Broom.

She said: "But Ava said there were problems I didn't understand as to why she was disruptive and self-harming.

"She gave me a letter saying she'd been raped and abused in the past. She found it difficult to speak about, but afterwards she said she felt so much better."

The police investigated but no charges were made.

Ava was referred to the mental health services and received plenty of contact with care workers, although they would not admit her to a psychiatric unit, believing it was better for her to stay in a loving home environment.

Mrs Broom said: "She started hearing a lady's voice in her head telling her to kill herself.

"Ava was banging her head on the wall and hitting herself. She was just wanting to kill the lady in her head."

Her foster parents were pleased to hear she had a boyfriend, saying she was in love, although she felt unable to be intimate because of the abuse she had suffered.

On the morning of her death, Ava had a row after another foster girl who was rude to Mrs Broom, but there was no indication that she planned to kill herself.

Mrs Broom said: "She'd sent a text shortly before (she died) saying, 'I love you...I hope (your foster daughter) shows you more respect in future'."

Andrew Sinclair, from Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said an investigation into Ava's death had led to several recommendations, including setting up a transition period for 18-year-olds leaving children and adolescent mental health care; giving further consideration to risk assessments for children and young people in foster care who have experienced abuse; better communications with GPs; and better discharge reports.

Senior coroner for Somerset Tony Williams recorded a conclusion of suicide, with the cause of death hanging.

He is writing to the trust to ask what can be done to smooth the transition of young people to adults receiving mental health care.

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