A 16-year old Nigerian-born schoolboy, Temidayo Joseph has hanged himself in the UK in what was an inquest termed a “mistake” intended to be an experiment of how Hollywood legend, Robin Williams died.
Daily Mail reports that Joseph’s mother, Kate Ibok, availed that the unfortunate incident happened hours after he collected his GCSE result.
Temidayo Joseph (Photo Credit: Eastnews Press Agency)
Temidayo Joseph, 16, was found hanged in his bedroom by his mother hours after collecting his GCSE results (Photo Credit Eastnews Press Agency)
An inquest at the Essex Coroner’s Court on Saturday, April 11, 2015 revealed that Joseph had had a conversation with a cousin in Nigeia about WIlliams and his death, ruling that the death wasn’t a suicide as the the teenager, who was also a footballer was “lively and popular” and left no suicide note.
Essex Coroner Eleanor McGann said: “There was a conversation which took place about big news in the media about the death of Robin Williams. Temi had said ‘I don’t understand why somebody would do this to themself’..
“It’s perfectly possible that he did not have any idea how easy it is to hang yourself by mistake. That would seem to fit with this happy little boy with an enquiring mind who has made a horrible mistake.
Robin Williams (Magnolla/Everett/REC)
The court also ruled out his GCSE grades – he gained just 3 Credits – as a cause for the death, stating that he had wanted to be a professional footballer. Moreso, his academy staff had earlier told him kind of grades to expect.
Temidayo Joseph as a child (Photo Credit Eastnews Press Agency)
Temidayo Joseph with his mother Kate Ibok (Photo Credit: Eastnews Press Agency)
McGann added: “It is very easy to jump to the conclusion someone has got their GCSE results and think he has hanged himself. That conclusion, in this case, would be wrong.
“He got the results he expected to get – he knew what pathway he would follow. There was no evidence at all that Temi wanted to kill himself – quite the contrary this was a young man with everything to live for”
Temidayo’s father Vincent Joseph (Photo CREDIT: Eastnews Press Agency)
Temidayo’s distraught father Vincent Joseph said after the ruling: “He had a loving and sound extended family, lots of support and was very popular at school, not just with pupils but teachers as well. Why on earth would he intend to kill himself?
“I am not satisfied, so that I am sure, that he intended to kill himself that day and therefore I am not returning a verdict of suicide. I did not know about the link to Robin Williams before we went into the inquest.
“Temidayo was a lovely young man and a great character. He did not intend to kill himself – he was a very talented boy and lived for his football – that’s all he wanted to do.
“I was so happy when I stood by him to hear him call me father. I have lost a good friend.”
His mother was absent at the inquest, as she had moved back to Nigeria temporarily with his 12-year old sister, Christiana to cope with the grief.
