12-year-old boy's family speak out after son takes life following delayed autism diagnosis

The family of a secondary school student who took his own life after his mental health worsened while waiting for an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis have paid tribute to the 'cheeky chappy'.

Riley Townsend was 12 years old at the time of his death on 1 September 2024 and had hopes of becoming a footballer when he grew up.

But Riley, who lived in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, had been struggling with his mental health in the three years he waited for an autism diagnosis.

According to his cousin, Jodie Draycott, who spoke with NottinghamshireLive, he’d just ‘had enough’.

Riley’s journey to be diagnosed began at age five, when his parents made regular appointments with GPs and mental health teams to help with his behaviour at home.

An inquest held into his death by coroner Amanda Bewley at Nottingham Coroner's Court on 24 November heard how Riley's behaviour was ‘becoming increasingly challenging’.

Riley Townsend was 12 when he died (Family Handout)

'Socially isolated'

Riley was diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and prescribed medication in 2021, but it was at this time that GPs, his family, specialist nurses and his school began to consider an autism diagnosis.

Two years later, in February 2023, Riley’s parents called the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) due to his 'anger and frustration having an effect on the household’.

Derek Pattle, specialist practitioner within the SPA (single point of access) service, provided by Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust's CAMHS, explained that Riley lived in a ‘very loving and supporting household’.

He said: "Riley was somebody who really struggled with his emotions. He was socially isolated and had few friends at school. Academically, he was doing OK, but his sleep was awful and very dysregulated."

But it wasn't until May 2023 that the trust finally took action towards an autism diagnosis, the inquest heard, and while Riley was able to have a number of assessments and consultations, he did not receive a formal diagnosis before his death.

A convoy of cars and vans paid tribute to Riley in September, driving from Riley's school, Quarrydale Academy, before travelling past his house.

Organiser Beth Jenkins told the BBC: "Riley loved his cars, vans and motorbikes and this is a way of highlighting mental health in children and giving him a good send-off."

In a statement, Riley's family said of the tribute: "He would have been over the moon about this because he loved his cars.

"To see the support from everyone taking part has just left us lost for words."

Riley wanted to be a footballer (Family Handout)

Esther Corker, of Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, told Coroner Bewley that their services ‘have potentially improved’ since Riley’s case, but could not explain why his diagnosis was delayed.

'Riley had had enough'

His cousin Jodie told NottinghamshireLive that Riley was ‘struggling’ during this time.

She added: “He’d been struggling with mental health issues for a long time. Unfortunately, Riley had had enough, and it got to this point.

“He was a cheeky chappy, a proper lad, polite and kind towards his siblings and anybody, really. But his mental health got in the way. He struggled a lot and his family are now going through their worst nightmare.”

Coroner Bewley explained that in October 2023, it was identified an ASD assessment was needed, but it didn’t take place until June 2024.

She said: "It's impossible for me to say if Riley had received the ASD diagnosis earlier, what support he would have received.

"It’s also impossible for me to say whether the diagnosis would have resulted in the type of support which would’ve allowed him and the people supporting him to help him with his emotional regulation and dysregulation.

"It worries me that Riley's been potentially denied an opportunity of being able to regulate himself better or to have support for his condition."

After the conclusion of the inquest on 27 November, Ifti Majid, Chief Executive of Nottinghamshire Healthcare told Tyla: “On behalf of the Trust I offer our deepest sympathies to Riley’s family and friends. Riley’s loss is a tragedy. We acknowledge the Coroner’s findings and once more extend our sincere condolences.”

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123 or contact Harmless by visiting their website https://harmless.org.uk.