A brilliant student attending a renowned private institution tragically ended his life in his family’s expansive garden, leaving behind no notes or explanations for his parents, an inquest revealed.
Fifteen-year-old Sam Moores was on track to achieve outstanding grades at King Edward VI School in Hampshire, known for its £24,000 annual tuition, when his distraught mother discovered him. He had taken his life by hanging.
Devastated parents, Andy and Alison, both in the veterinary field, expressed their shock, stating, “We had no signs from Sam that he was contemplating suicide.”
Following the coroner’s inability to determine a cause for Sam’s actions, they have strongly encouraged other parents to engage in open conversations with their children.
Andy Moores, who serves as the chairman of the British Veterinary Orthopaedic Association, co-established Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists in Winchester back in 2006, which has since become a premier referral practice in the UK.
In 2023, he further expanded his expertise by opening The Moores Orthopaedic Clinic, dedicated to providing orthopedic care for pets such as dogs and cats.
A coroner ruled that Sam must have been ‘desperately suffering from something’ but it was not clear what.
The inquest heard the Year 11 student was passionate about computer science and coding, and had been excited for his upcoming Duke of Edinburgh expedition and prom to mark the end of his exams, which he had been doing very well in.
His father paid a touching tribute in an Instagram post 18 days after Sam’s death in which he called him a ‘beautiful boy’.
A coroner ruled that 15-year-old was in year 11 when he took his life, must have been ‘desperately suffering from something’ but it is not clear what
While a few of Sam’s friends mentioned he was ‘quieter’ leading up to his death, they said it was nothing out of the ordinary.
Sam’s parents – who founded their own practice near Basingstoke, Hampshire – agreed that there was nothing unusual about the way Sam was acting in the days prior to his death.
Mrs Moores told the inquest at Winchester Coroner’s Court that the day before Sam had baked them biscuits while listening to a record and that she had joked he was her ‘favourite son’.
While she had been at work that day, Sam and his older brother Jack, 18, had climbed one of the trees in their garden.
The pair wore helmets and used ropes, and could be seen laughing and having fun in the few video clips they took of it.
The next day, on February 20, 2025, Mr Moores went to work in the morning but Mrs Moores stayed to work from home.
She went for a shower and noticed one of Sam’s dirty socks on the floor, but when she threw it into his room she saw he was not there.
She talked to Jack and they began looking for his brother because it was unusual for him to leave the house without saying goodbye.
Sam was in Year 11 of King Edward VI School in Southampton, where fees are over £8,000 per term
Sam was found in an obscured part of the garden.
Mrs Moores could tell he was dead immediately but still attempted CPR, and got Jack to cut his brother down with a kitchen knife.
Sam’s mother called emergency services and screamed for help so a neighbour came over. Tragically nothing could be done to save his life.
At hospital, a small square was discovered on his upper left thigh that was either abrasions or lacerations and was consistent with self-harm.
Sam’s devices were searched but nothing was found that indicated his intentions.
CCTV from the house showed Sam trying to sneak out of the house the night before he was found but turning back when he made a noise, which suggested that he ‘did not want to be seen or rescued’.
Sam’s death was ruled as a suicide, though Senior Coroner for Hampshire Christopher Wilkinson ‘frustratingly’ could not conclude as to why from the evidence.
He said: ‘The evidence that Sam did not want to be seen or rescued. The ligature would be for an act with no return. What happened in the early hours of the morning lends itself by its very nature an act not intended to be rescued from.
‘The actions therefore were the result I believe that Sam intended this act to end his life and unfortunately did do so. What I cannot say is why he did so.
‘I have no clues to help me understand why Sam was doing this. The objective of any inquest has to be an objective assessment of what he was thinking and unfortunately we don’t have the evidence to do that. He left no letter or clues.
‘This is a source of upset and frustration for me, for you and for everyone involved. I can only say that Sam was desperately suffering from something in his life or view at that time.
‘It could well be because of his autism but it’s dangerous for me to say that. Autism can lead to impulsivity but that’s usually paired with signs of distress which don’t seem present here. I can find no other conclusion than suicide.’
He continued to address Sam’s parents: ‘Mr and Mrs Moores, I’m desperately sorry that we met in these circumstances. I want to offer you my very sincere condolences.
‘As a parent myself I cannot imagine how you feel and I feel for you in that respect
‘I can only hope that moving forward you can focus on the Sam that you knew and the life that he had. You clearly raised a capable and lovely boy.
‘Thank you for coming today. I wish you the best for the future.’
Mrs and Mr Moores and their son Jack said: ‘Sam was an amazing young man who we loved so much. He was incredibly intelligent, loving and caring. He loved coding, climbing, sailing and baking. He was a fearless skier.
‘We were, and still are, devastated by his death, which was completely unexpected. We take comfort in the knowledge that he lived life to the full and had loving family and friends around him.
‘Since Sam’s death we have been supporting Papyrus, a national charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional well being in young people.
‘We wish dearly that Sam had talked to us, or someone else, about how he was feeling before he died. Papyrus run a 24/7 helpline for young people or those concerned for others. Ours was a normal happy family.
‘We had no indications from Sam that he was wanting to take his own life. We would urge all parents to talk to their children about mental health and suicide and make them aware of the Papyrus 24/7 helpline.
‘Finally, we would like to thank all the emergency service personnel who attended on the 20th February last year for their kindness and compassion, and for those and others that have supported us through this ordeal since.’
For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support
