Robyn Lott, 13, tragically took her own life after a break up and falling out with friends – her mum Alison Ward issued a plea to other parents following an inquest into her daughter’s death
A mum has issued a plea to other parents after her 13-year-old daughter took her own life.
Robyn Lott, 13, had been given a mobile phone when she started secondary school in case of an emergency. In the weeks before she died on July 14 , she posted TikTok videos in which she said she wanted to kill herself. Mum Alison Ward only found out Robyn was using TikTok after her daughter’s death.
Robyn had been “a bit upset” the night before she died but seemed happier after talking to her mum. The following morning, dad Malcolm tragically found his daughter in her room at their home in Sabden near Clitheroe. Speaking after an inquest into her daughter’s death today at Accrington Town Hall, Alison said she fears children have become “desensitised” to the concept of suicide and self-harm.
“We didn’t know about that when we were that age,” Alison told LancsLive. “I know there needs to be awareness about it but it’s almost as if kids are desensitised to it. Parents need to know that this can happen to anyone.”
The inquest heard Robyn had enjoyed her time at primary school and was a “confident child who made friends easily”. However, after moving up to secondary school “this became more tricky”. Six months after Robyn started at Ribblesdale School in Clitheroe she switched to Accrington Academy after experiencing “some friendship challenges”.
Towards the end of the summer term this year, Robyn’s parents had discussions with the school about arranging a neurodiversity assessment after they and teachers noted she had autistic traits. “It was all going to start in the September but she never got the chance,” mum Alison said.
Robyn, “a vibrant, funny, and fiercely unique soul”, had become part of a close-knit friendship group at her new school but in the days before her death she had split up with the girl she had been seeing. Robyn was devastated about the break-up and had posted videos on TikTok “alluding to dying and being close to doing it”.
Area Coroner Emma Mather said several of Robyn’s posts on TikTok “were quite concerning” with at least two videos in which she talked about harming herself. She also described how there had been “a falling-out” between Robyn and her friends just before she took her own life.
Robyn’s parents do not believe their daughter fully understood the finality which would follow the steps she took that led to her death. Mum Alison told the coroner: “It was just a spur of the moment thing. She didn’t realise; she was too young to understand.”
After Robyn’s death, police spoke to several of her friends. One told detectives that Robyn had confided about cutting herself after the end of a relationship. She had also sent a text, which the coroner said was “quite some time ago”, in which she told one friend: “I’m going to kill myself.”
The coroner explained to Robyn’s parents that in order to return a conclusion of suicide she would have to be satisfied that Robyn’s act had been deliberate and done with the intention of ending her own life.
“I know that Robyn had referred to wanting to kill herself in messages to friends but she was young, she was impulsive and she was experiencing heightened emotions,” the coroner said, returning a narrative conclusion.
“Robyn was only 13 at the time of her tragic death and there are probably no words I can use to convey just how tragic the loss of a child is. Her family should be proud of her; she was a wonderful young woman.”
After the inquest, Alison described her daughter as “a kind, sensitive, beautiful soul” and added: “She will never be forgotten, always in my heart and a piece of my soul will always be with her.”
For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email [email protected], visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
