A TEENAGER known for his “generous and caring” nature took his own life after becoming “overwhelmed” with grief at the loss of a close friend.

Martti Ojandu, a popular student at Tendring Technology College’s Frinton campus died at home in May aged just 15.

The Year 10 student, described as a fun-loving and sensitive boy with a heart of gold, had struggled after the recent loss of a close friend.

An inquest at Chelmsford Coroner’s Court was told during a walk home from school with two friends on May 18, nothing out of the ordinary was noted in his behaviour.

At around 3.30pm he arrived at home and a discussion followed with his mother about recent behavioural issues at school.

The inquest heard Martti “agreed his behaviour must improve” and he was grounded.

The inquest heard at 4.22pm, Martti’s mother and sister left the home to visit a soft play area before moving on to Clacton pier, while Martti remained at home to complete some chores.

When his family returned home, they found him unresponsive in an upstairs bedroom.

DS Luke Baldwin said: “CPR had been commenced by family members, supported by a neighbour who continued until paramedics arrived at the scene and continued.”

He was pronounced dead at 8.36pm.

The inquest heard Martti had exchanged messages with friends that day, in which he said he was “feeling low and might do something stupid”.

A message from a friend at 6.20pm, which said “don’t do anything stupid, you’ve always got me” went unread.

The inquest was told Martti had struggled following the death of close friend and fellow Tendring Technology College student Elliott Willis, aged 15, in March.

Following the tragedy, Martti and a group of friends had banded together to offer each other support.

Senior Coroner Lincoln Brookes said it had “been like any other day” when Martti returned home from school.

“There was reason for his mother to have words with him about his behaviour at school and quite sensibly she gave him the option of being grounded or being without his Xbox,” he said.

“He understood the reason why and he seemed to accept it.

“I’m told this wasn’t a particularly dramatic conversation and his mother and big sister, and her two children, went to a play-zone type place, leaving Martti to carry out some chores he was asked to do.”

Recording a conclusion Martti deliberately took his own life, Mr Brookes said it was clear from social media messages Martti “still hadn’t really recovered at all from the loss of his friend only a couple of months beforehand”.

He added: “I also find his difficulty with that overcame him in the late afternoon and early evening of May 18 and he acted upon dark thoughts which overwhelmed him.”

In a letter, Martti’s mother said he was born in Estonia, where he lived until 2013 when he moved to the UK.

In 2016, he became an uncle to his nephew and in 2018, an uncle to his young niece.

His mum said: “He loved both of those children very much. He was proud to be their best and only uncle.”

Martti was also taking part in the mentoring programme offered by the Lads Need Dads charity.

The scheme, which Martti joined in 2018, is designed to empower young men who have had limited access to a male role model to become motivated and capable.

Paying tribute, Sonia Shaljean, managing director and founder of the organisation, said: “He was generous and caring and had a gift for making people smile.

“From an early age he was a young carer, helping care for his mum, and then the past couple of years, his young nieces and nephews who came to live with them.

“He was popular with our mentors as his engaging and cheeky personality was infectious, and he never moaned and always presented as an optimist.”

There are numerous easy ways to contact the Samaritans, a charity which promises: "If you need someone to talk to, we listen. We won't judge or tell you what to do."

Call the helpline 24/7 on 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org.

For information, visit samaritans.org