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Mum pays tribute to Bluewater worker from Northfleet, Leon Junior, at his inquest

A mum paid tribute to her son at his inquest and said his friends "worshipped the ground he walked on".

Leon Junior's mum said the 21-year-old's suicide "came out of the blue" and the court heard there appeared to be "no single trigger", during the hearing held today into the Northfleet man's death.

Leon Junior was much loved by family and friends
Leon Junior was much loved by family and friends

Mr Junior, from Brunswick Walk, was found just after midnight on May 23 in woodland close to Shorne Ifield Road.

A search and rescue mission was launched the previous day after an Instagram picture was posted by Mr Junior of himself in what appeared to be the same woodland where he was found with a message which indicated an intention to take his own life.

A toxicology report found nothing significant and the medical cause of death was given as hanging.

A statement provided by Mr Junior's brother, Jermaine Junior, explained that he had been furloughed from his job at Gravity Trampoline Park in Bluewater.

Mr Junior said he didn't think his brother was "struggling massively" but there were a "series of little things built up over time".

A plane paid tribute to Leon Junior on the day of his funeral in June
A plane paid tribute to Leon Junior on the day of his funeral in June

Investigating officer Det Sgt Matthew Lynch explained Mr Junior had lived in Tenerife for 12 months and had really enjoyed his time on the Spanish island.

He said: "My understanding is that he had moved back and was struggling to adjust, it was a different lifestyle, he didn't like working just to pay rent."

An upcoming move was also making him "very anxious", assistant coroner Alan Blunsdon heard.

His mum, Sheena Hamid, said that shortly before his death the 21-year-old was "so unhappy", having been told by his landlord that he was being moved from his home to a different property.

Speaking at the inquest, held at County Hall in Maidstone, Mr Blunsdon said: "He enjoyed fun, he had a job and he enjoyed bike riding.

"He has a good relationship with his family and for some inexplicable reason on May 22 he goes temporarily missing and sends a message with a photo indicating an intention to take his own life.

"The difficult thing I'm struggling with is there doesn't appear to be any single trigger event that would drive him to take his own life."

Referring to Mr Junior's and Det Sgt Lynch's statement, Mr Blunsdon said there had been a number of "small things which had built up in Leon's mind," most predominantly a move to somewhere he feared he would "not be happy".

"He will never be forgotten and always loved..."

He concluded death by suicide.

Speaking of her son, Ms Hamid said: "He was always a happy child, right from a baby he always had this amazing smile on his face.

"He was living his best life. He had a good family behind him. It did come out of the blue. He had so many friends that worshipped the ground he walked on. He will never be forgotten and always loved."

Mr Junior's funeral was held in June and a plane flew over the Gravesend and Dartford area , reading: "Leon I hope you are dancing in the sky."

Friends have also paid tribute to Mr Junior, and he was described as "the light in so many people's lives" by those who were close to him.

For confidential support on an emotional issue, call Samaritans on 116 123 at any time. If you want to talk to someone confidentially, click here.

For more information on how we can report on inquests, click here.

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