A CORONER said it was a ‘mystery’ why a popular teenager decided to take his own life.

An inquest at Barrow Town Hall was told 18-year-old Jake Davies was found hanged by a walker near a river in Ulpha on December 27 last year.

Concluding Mr Davies’ death was suicide, coroner Dr Nicholas Shaw told the teenager’s family: “I can’t explain his death.”

Mr Davies grew up in Askam. He attended Dowdales School in Dalton and Furness College and was a BAE apprentice.

Dad Paul Davies said his son was keen on football and rugby and played the bass guitar in a band.

He said: “Jake was the most caring and loving happy boy.”

Mr Davies said there was nothing to indicate his son was struggling or would have attempted to take his own life.

The teenager, who played guitar in the band The Liars Club, was said to have joined friends for a night out in Barrow town centre before driving to the village, near Broughton, in the early hours of the morning.

Friends said he seemed happy on the night out.

His friends said he had remained in Manhattans nightclub in Cavendish Street after his friends left around 2.30am.

Cameron Barnes said Ulpha was where Jake and him ‘used to go when we were younger to swim’.

Another friend, Alfie Smith, said no-one was aware of any mental health issues but Mr Davies had seemed ‘quite tired’ for a number of months.

A statement read out from pathologist Sarah Hawkswell said he had small amounts of cocaine in his system when he died as well as alcohol.

She said the substances in his system would not have influenced his decision to take his own life on the night.

Concluding, Dr Shaw said: “It would seem he had driven out to Ulpha.

“I unfortunately don’t know why he did it.

“It remains a mystery.

“It’s tragic that a young person who has his whole life in front of him should do this.”

Speaking after the inquest, the family said: “We lost a beautiful boy.”

The Mail’s Time To Talk campaign aims to spread awareness of mental health issues and break the taboo around mental ill health.

It was started in response to the increasing number of young men in Furness dying suddenly following mental health battles, including Mr Davies.

Where you can go to get help

  • PAPYRUS is the UK Charity for the prevention of young suicide. For PAPYRUS HOPELINEUK call 0800 068 4141.
  • Mental health advice can be sought locally by calling Mind in Furness on 01229 827094.
  • The Samaritans can be contacted on the116 123 helpline.