Malvern College death - friends and family pay tribute to talented student

James Pickering, 18, known as 'Jimmy' to friends, had been suffering from depression in the months before he was found dead in his room at Malvern College.

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Mr Pickering's body was discovered by friends on the morning of Sunday, January 9 after he had been out drinking in pubs in Malvern the evening before.

LOSS: James Pickering was found dead in his room at Malvern College

Speaking after the inquest, held on Wednesday in Stourport, Keith Metcalfe, Headmaster at Malvern College, said: "James was a popular and well-respected member of the school who will be sadly missed by pupils and staff. He epitomised the qualities we look for in our pupils: a successful academic, actively involved in sport and a strong contributor to the arts.

“James, who was on standby for Gloucester Rugby’s Under 18s, has been described as the ‘talisman’ of our rugby team and demanded high standards of himself and others.

"He was vice-captain of the 1st XV rugby team, and awarded Man of the Match on many occasions, typically in the most challenging games.

"He also scored the fastest hundred for Malvern U14 cricket in 34 balls. His photographic skills were used to create last year’s Malvern College Christmas Card. He was one of the most respected and admired members of the school.”

PRAISE: Keith Metcalfe, head at Malvern College, said the late James Pickering 'epitomised the qualities we look for in our pupils'

Richard Howitt, James’s Housemaster, said: “James was an outstanding young man. He was very well-liked by all those in his House. He was a great friend and, in his role as Deputy Head of House, showed real leadership qualities.

"I have no doubt that he would have made a positive contribution to the world, and he will be very much missed by everyone who knew him. He brought joy to the lives of all those whose paths he crossed during his time here at Malvern. He was at the centre of everything that we did as a House, and without that strong, kind, loyal centre, we as a community are left hollow with his passing.”

INQUEST: The inquest was held at Worcestershire Coroner's Court in Stourport

Statements from family, friends and school staff, read out by the coroner, also painted a picture of a talented young man who loved sport and photography.

His father, Alec Pickering, described his son as 'a very outgoing person' who was 'kind, sensitive and thoughtful'.

He also referred to his son as a 'diligent young man' who was 'good at sport', particularly rugby where he played in the position of hooker.

In a statement, read out by the coroner, Mr Pickering said his son was 'very open' and someone who 'wore his heart on his sleeve'.

Housemaster Richard Howitt, who was aware of Mr Pickering's struggles with his physical health and mood, said his health had seemed to be improving. "It was like he had a spring back in his step," said Mr Howitt in a statement read out by the coroner.

One friend described Mr Pickering as 'a really nice guy' and 'sporty'.

"I can't think of anyone here who would have anything bad to say about him," he said.

The court heard Mr Pickering had taken photos of himself together with his friends and sent them to his family the evening before he died, his father saying they were all looking 'in good spirits'. 

Summarising the evidence, the coroner said Mr Pickering could have consumed as many as eight to 10 pints on the night before he died.

He was said to be looking forward to pursuing his hobby of photography and was planning for his future, including applying for university.

Mr Pickering had been described by his GP as feeling low and suffering panic attacks when he saw him in October 2020.

He also complained of poor sleep and his doctor was concerned he was suffering from depression.

He was referred to a child and adolescent psychiatrist and had also been prescribed anti-depressants which had led to an improvement in his mood, his mother said.

Mr Pickering was also seeing a counsellor and told a child and adolescent psychiatrist he 'enjoyed school' and struggled with not being at school, missing socialising and sports.

Mr Pickering suffered a severe gastrointestinal infection after becoming unwell in October 2019 and became unwell again in January 2020 when he was diagnosed with another gastrointestinal infection. 

Mr Pickering was off school for three months and lost weight as a result.

Mr Pickering's father said: "After this, he struggled to bounce back as one might have expected."

The cause of his death was given as asphyxia caused by hanging at his inquest at Worcestershire Coroner's Court.

Senior coroner David Reid ruled it was not possible to ascertain what Mr Pickering's intention was at the time.

"It may have been his intention to take his own life. It may not," he said.