'Mia was such a gentle, beautiful person... she had such a big heart'

Parents' heartfelt tribute after 13-year-old's tragic death at home

- Thomas Cooper

THE parents of a 'beautiful' 13-year-old have been left devastated after their daughter took her own life.

Mia Holland had been 'down' in the days before she was discovered by dad Chris in the early hours of April 7.

But neither her family or school support workers were aware she would take such drastic action.

Now an inquest has ruled that Mia committed suicide.

Staffordshire Police had been alerted to the tragedy. Mia had attended Clayton Hall Academy, in Clayton, before moving to Coop Academy Stoke-on-Trent, in Tunstall.

Detective Constable Bethany Rayner told the inquest: "Uniformed officers were the first to arrive on the scene. Paramedics, her father, stepmother and siblings were all there too.

"Her father, Chris, told officers that Mia had been acting normally before she went to bed on Sunday, April 6, at around 8.30pm. But her stepmother noticed her bedroom light was still on at lam. Chris went into the room and discovered her body hanging inside. Paramedics arrived shortly afterwards but there was nothing they could do. Mia was pronounced dead at 1.36am."

In a statement, mum Laura said: "Mia was such a gentle, beautiful person. I wish I could show you all of the memories I have of her inside my head. Her laughter was infectious. The crinkle of her nose, her giggle and how it made everyone smile and laugh with her. She was my Christmas baby - the best gift I ever had.