An ‘incredibly talented’ young rugby player took her own life after suffering mental health issues which she ‘masked’ from her family and therapists, an inquest into her death concluded.
Laura Spreadbury, 12, had been on a day out with her father, younger sister and a friend before she was found in the bathroom of her home in Great Sankey, Warrington, on June 29 last year.
Her father, compliance manager John Spreadbury, gave emergency first aid until 999 services arrived, Warrington Coroner’s Court heard.
Laura was taken to Warrington Hospital but there were no signs of life and attempts at resuscitation were stopped at 7.10pm. She was confirmed dead at 9.04pm after her parents had spent time with her.
Area coroner for Cheshire, Victoria Davies, recorded a conclusion of suicide, saying Laura had experienced ‘mental health difficulties’ in the past two years and previously told her parents she had self-harmed.
Medical records showed Laura had told a doctor in March last year that she was having suicidal thoughts and did not want to be alive.
She was referred to a cognitive behavioural therapist for weekly one-hour sessions after being found with a knife on school premises. In the final session on June 16, shortly before her death, Laura did not express an interest or plan to end her life.
But the inquest also heard Laura could ‘mask’ her feelings, telling professionals what she thought they wanted to hear.
Laura Spreadbury, 12, (pictured) took her own life after suffering mental health issues, an inquest into her death concluded
Ms Davies said: ‘Laura was very guarded with her feelings and capable of allowing professionals and her family a small insight that she allowed, not her true feelings.
‘I’m satisfied this was a deliberate act … carried out with the intention of ending her life. This is a truly, truly tragic case.’
Laura had been a player for Crosfields ARLFC in her hometown and a Scout leader as well as head girl at her primary school before joining St Gregory’s RC High School in Warrington.
Earlier, Mr Spreadbury said of his daughter: ‘She was incredibly talented, very high achieving. The first person to stick up for her friends.
‘Rugby was one of her joys, she played both codes. She really enjoyed it and was incredibly talented.
‘Anybody who saw her knows she had a future in the game at the highest level.’
Mr Spreadbury added: ‘It sounds ridiculous considering where we all are now, but she was extremely resilient and strong.
‘She was a perfectionist. She set incredibly high standards for herself.’
Laura had been a head girl at her primary school before joining St Gregory’s RC High School in Warrington (pictured)
The inquest heard that in March 2024, Laura’s parents discovered that she had been self-harming.
Mr Spreadbury described a ‘cycle of events’ where his daughter would self-harm, she would initially deny it, then her parents would speak to her, and the behaviour stopped, but then it would repeat itself.
Laura’s high school had also approached her parents after another pupil spotted a TikTok account of hers with a film of her walking along train tracks.
Laura had also been found in possession of a blade while on the premises.
Medical records from her GP showed that in March 2025, she had told a doctor of having suicidal thoughts and she did not want to be alive.
Laura also told the medic she had attempted to end her life before.
Laura was referred to Tara O’Kane, a school counsellor at St Gregory’s, who said the youngster had a significant amount of achievement points and had not previously been on her radar.
Initially, during counselling sessions, Laura was a ‘closed book’ but later disclosed she had been self-harming since primary school.
Ms O’Kane said: ‘Laura had built up a very thick wall around her and did not want anyone to see over the other side.
‘Confident, high-achiever, funny, big groups of friends. She shared she didn’t always feel that way on the inside. She did place high expectations on herself.’
The school conducted random spot-checks, on occasion finding Laura had taken a blade into school.
Laura’s doctor had made an urgent referral to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), where she was seen by Deeksha Girish, a cognitive behavioural therapist, for one-hour, weekly sessions.
Ms Girish said Laura had high expectations of herself and she could be self-critical, with low moods impacting her levels of motivation and her relationship with friends.
Laura told her she would ‘show up’ for the sake of family and friends, but struggled to enjoy activities and described a feeling of hopelessness.
After the inquest concluded, in a statement, St Gregory’s High School and Warrington Council, said: ‘The school community has been completely devastated since learning about the loss of Laura.
‘Laura was part of our school for such a short time, but in that time, she proved to be hugely popular, had a lovely and fun sense of humour, possessed outstanding sporting abilities with immense potential and was considered to be a future head pupil.
‘Our thoughts and prayers remain with Laura’s family and friends.’
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