Girl takes life fearing 'racist' backlash over photo

  • 29/08/2016
Phoebe Connop (Facebook)
Phoebe Connop (Facebook)

A British teen took her own life after a photo she took of herself with darkened skin and wearing a headscarf was shared online, a coroner's inquest has heard.

Phoebe Connop, 16, from the West Midlands, sent the photo of herself to friends on Instagram, joking that her new boyfriend's parents would only accept her if she looked how she appeared in the photo, Daily Mail reported. Connop had recently got into an online relationship with an Asian man.

After the photo spread wider than intended, Connop took her own life.

Speaking at an inquest into her death, Detective Sergeant Katherine Tomkins said Connop was scared of what the reaction from the Asian community would be to the photo.

Girl takes life fearing 'racist' backlash over photo

Phoebe Connop (Facebook)

"There had been some negative reaction and she confided in her friend, who did take the image down at her request," Det Sgt Tomkins said.

The inquest heard Connop, a talented gymnast, wanted to be a midwife.

Her father said she had shown no signs of wanting to take her life leading up to the incident.

"She was a lovely girl who would never want to cause offence to anyone."

Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline's 24-hour telephone counselling service on 0800 543 354.

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