Trowbridge schoolgirl took her own life

A "thoughtful and intelligent" 13-year-old girl took her own life, a coroner has ruled.

Zina Hereward-Isaac was found dead at her home in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, on 14 May.

The inquest in Trowbridge heard the John of Gaunt School pupil contacted an advice line in the months before she died.

Dr Claire Balsyz, assistant deputy coroner for Wiltshire and Swindon, recorded a verdict of suicide.

Since Zina's death, two other girls who attended the school, in Trowbridge, have also died. Police have ruled out any link between the deaths.

'Incredibly thoughtful'

Dr Balsyz said Zina's diary, which she was treating as a suicide note, showed that she was having "emotional problems", unrelated to any school issues.

She said text messages that were sent to BBC Radio 1's The Surgery advice line were found on the teenager's mobile phone.

The hearing was told Zina's father and school friends were unaware of her problems.

Andrew Packer, head teacher at John of Gaunt School, praised Zina's academic abilities at the inquest on Thursday.

He said: "She was a very intelligent student, incredibly thoughtful. She had a huge sense of fun, constantly questioning, a very inquiring child.

"She was popular within a close-knit group of friends who have remained so to this day.

"She was highly respected by her teachers and academically she was doing extremely well."