Evie's ‘escalating risk’ went without referral

LEARNINGS AFTER GIRL’S DEATH ‘CAN'T BE IGNORED’

- By POPPY KENNEDY [e-mail] @ReporterPoppy

THE death of a “wonderful and charismatic” teenager who took her own life has raised urgent concerns over communication between agencies.

The 19-year-old, known only as Evie, was described as “crazy and loving” and had dreams of being a paramedic.

Tragically, Evie, who had experienced long standing mental health needs, took her own life in June 2024, following an overdose at her grandparents’ home.

Now, a safeguarding adult review has highlighted 17 areas of learning and made seven recommendations as the author of the report says “improving the system for agencies to come together is now an urgent requirement”

The 23-page anonymised report, published online by the Tees Safeguarding Adults Board, delves into Evie’s life and struggles.

It raises concerns around system issues which prevent “gold” alerts of suicide attempts being made, comprehensive information sharing, and under utilising the resource of extended family members and close friends.

In the days before Evie died, the report states, there was an “escalating risk” and the teen did contact agencies and comment on how she felt “life was worthless” Evie’s leaving care personal advisor expressed concerns to her manager about the “inevitability of a further suicide attempt” on the day Evie took her own life.