A TEENAGER took his own life in Southend after becoming “distressed and alarmed” about a fraud investigation into a cheque he deposited, an inquest has heard.

Kacper Ksiazek, 18, from Southend, died after jumping from a height in Southend city centre on Wednesday, January 26, last year.

An inquest into his death at Essex Coroner’s Court in Chelmsford yesterday heard how he told police at the scene he intended take his own life.

His mother told the hearing that a £3,500 cheque he deposited to the bank was being investigated for fraud, with coroner Lincoln Brookes stating Kacper was “clearly alarmed and distressed”.

However, the coroner stated he could not be certain that was the main reason.

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Police and ambulance crews were alerted shortly before 8.45pm on the Wednesday night, following concerns for the welfare of a man near Southend High Street.

A statement from Kacper’s mum Justyna Robin was read out in court.

It said: “He was very happy and confident and his behaviour started to change when he started working at a bar.

“He stopped playing basketball and I blamed the fact he was tired.

I didn’t know all his friends but he started talking about one who I believe is involved with illegal matters.

“Kacper stuck up for him and lost his job over this and was spoken to by police about an allegation.

“He got a letter from the bank which said he put in a cheque for £3,500 which was rejected due to suspected fraud.

“He went out and said he was going to sort the cheque. I asked this friend about the cheque and initially he denied it but later he accepted he asked Kacper to cash the cheque and it was from a man in London.”

Coroner Lincoln Brookes said: “Sadly much of this is very clear, it’s plain from the police body worn video that he was quite determined that this is what he intended to do. He felt this was the best thing to do. He was clearly alarmed and distressed at the prospect of being investigated for cheque fraud.

“Whether that was the main reason I cannot say.

“It’s plain that he acted upon these thoughts somewhat impulsively. I will record a conclusion of suicide. I understand him as a young man with his life ahead of him.”

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