The father of a 16-year-old girl who tragically took her own life has asked whether her daughter’s autism was ‘appropriately considered’ following the conclusion at her inquest.

Caitlyn Scott-Lee, who was a pupil at Wycombe Abbey School, was found by members of staff on April 21, 2023, in a secluded part of the building.

The teenager was diagnosed with depression in 2020, anxiety in 2021 and autism in 2022, and whilst she spoke to doctors about suicidal thoughts and self-harm, it was deemed that ‘no-one was to blame’, for Caitlyn’s sudden passing little over 12 months ago.

It was revealed that the teen was due to sit her first detention after a bottle of vodka was found in her locker but took her own life one day before her punishment.

The inquest heard Caitlyn visited the school nurse on the day she died and was given hay fever medication.

She was also spotted playing a drum set at around 7pm, before last being seen on CCTV at around 8.15pm that same evening.

It is believed she was by the school’s performance arts centre.

She was later found unresponsive by members of staff just before midnight on April 21.

Recording Caitlyn’s cause of death as suicide, senior coroner, Crispin Butler, said: “Right up until this late point no-one other than Caitlyn could have or should have known what was going to happen.”

However, Caitlyn’s father, Jonathan Scott-Lee, said he wondered if his daughter’s narrative was ‘fully heard’ by the inquest.

He told members of the press outside Beaconsfield Coroner’s Court on May 1: “I am grateful to all who have given evidence during this inquest.

“I commend Wycombe Abbey School for the reviews and changes that have taken place following this tragedy, and I continue to have much gratitude for the educators and healthcare professionals across our nation.

“Today [May 1], the learned Coroner, Crispin Butler, stated ‘the big hole in this inquest is Caitlyn’s diary - it is a very, very unusual inquest.’

“The coroner is right - Caitlyn left a uniquely comprehensive five-year account of her life.

“However, I wonder whether her narrative was fully heard.

“I still wonder whether autism was appropriately considered in the context of Caitlyn’s actions.

“The statistics are indisputable: one in three autistic people have experienced suicidal ideation and nearly one in four have attempted suicide.

“This means autistic people are seven times more likely to die by suicide than non-autistic people and suicide is one of the two main causes of death in autistic people.

“To honour Caitlyn and support the broader autistic community, it is right to reflect on whether there has been appropriate diligence in this investigation.

“I will consider options and revert in due course.”

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