Inquest is told how tormented teen fell to death in reservoir

CORONER RULES GIRL STRUGGLING WITH SEXUALITY TOOK HER OWN LIFE

- By LYRA AULD

Police at Baitings Reservoir in May after Qudsiyah Mahmood's tragic fall

A TORMENTED teenager struggling with her sexuality and feelings about her gender deliberately took her own life during a summer walk with her dad, an inquest heard.

Qudsiyah Mahmood, 13, had begged her dad, who was in ill-health, to take her to Baitings Reservoir, near Ripponden, with the promise she would do well in her upcoming exams at school.

But Bradford Coroner's Court heard yesterday it was a ploy to get her to the spot so she could jump in the water.

The Halifax teen died after she went over a parapet at the beauty spot at around 1.20pm on Wednesday, May 28. Assistant Coroner Caroline Chandler ruled what was thought to be a “tragic accident” was found to be suicide.

The inquest heard Qudsiyah had been exhibiting poor mental health.

Her postmortem revealed she had been self-harming and messages sent to her friends on Snapchat prior to her death alluded to the fact Qudsiyah had “tragically intended” to take her own life.

Qudsiyah was known to teachers and peers as a “bright, kind and friendly” girl.

However, she also admitted to struggling with her sexuality, explaining to her friends over messages how she was questioning her gender and religion describing herself on occasions as agnostic and genderfluid.

Representing West Yorkshire Police, DI Laura Hall retold the tragic events leading up to her death.