'I'm sorry': Teen's heartbreaking final message to online trolls before train suicide

Dec 17, 2014

Adam Smith, 19, was upset by spiteful comments made after he uploaded stories to the FanFiction website

Cavendish

A "sensitive" teenager with learning difficulties took his own life after being criticised by internet trolls over a story he posted online, a court has heard.

Adam Smith, 19, left a final heartbreaking video saying "I'm sorry" after he was falsely accused of plagiarism.

He was seen in tears before jumping in front of a train near his home in Atherton, Greater Manchester.

An inquest heard how Adam was worried he had a "bad reputation" following remarks posted on the Fan Fiction website.

Adam called himself 'Brony' online and wrote fantasy stories about the children's character My Little Pony under the name 'Galaxystar', the court heard.

His parents said he would spend most of his free time online and had a webcam set up in his room so he could speak to other online gamers and Fanfic users.

But Adam couldn't cope with negative comments he received online and last May became upset when he was ‘struck off’ from the FanFic site over one of his stories amid claims it had been copied.

Cavendish Adam Smith
Upset: Adam was hurt by online criticism of his FanFiction story

Days before he took his own life Adam posted a video message online in which he said: "I just want to say I’m sorry. I just like doing fanfics. I’m sorry that my voice is not really brilliant.

"I know I did a terrible job but I just want to make it up to you all. I'm sorry.

"If there’s any way I can make it up to you all. Please. I just don’t want a bad reputation."

The court heard Adam had been hurt by negative comments posted online.

One troll sneered: "I don't recommend you to make videos with talking - do something creative instead otherwise I'll just lol."

Another said: "I didn't understand a single f***ing thing."

A third said: "Umm... no offence, but you shouldn't skip English lessons at school dude."

Police later examined 73 videos posted by the teenager but found most comments had probably already been deleted after news spread of the tragedy.

Adam Smith and his mother Mandy
Adam Smith and his mother Mandy

At an inquest Bolton coroner Alan Walsh condemned the trolls as he recorded a verdict of suicide and said: ''I do believe that YouTube and some of the exchange of information and communication by comment, without knowing the individuals reaction to the comment, is dangerous in the extreme.

"They are not unlawful but vulnerable people can be badly affected by it.

"Adam was very dependent on his computer and the internet, in particular YouTube for social communication and enjoyment but sadly he would then be susceptible to judgment by people who never met him, did not know him and were not aware of the problems he had during his formative years.

"I see that as a very dangerous environment.

"They do not take account of sensitivity and the reaction of people who have received these comments. The evidence I have heard is that Adam was a sensitive young man to his family, to comments and criticism.

"For someone looking forward to someone who left his house tearful and distressed, I accept something did happen and it is likely to have arisen from communication."

Earlier the inquest heard Adam had learning difficulties and problems with speech and long term memory but attended a college course with hopes of going into the catering industry and owning a café.

In a statement his father Joseph said Adam did not have many friends and would spend all of his time on his own, on his computer, or with access to other internet sites or YouTube.

He added: "We always said he was 12 months behind because of his age. He was the youngest in the school year.

"He played online with his brother. They used to compete online with his brother as well as other people online."

Mr Smith said: "I believe he could not get on the computer or he could not access the internet to get onto his site. He was upset when the strike was put on."

Adam's mother Amanda said: "He would write fiction stories. He would upload videos so others could see and people could comment on it.

"There were quite a few negative comments that came in and he was angry about it.

"He was upset with regard to one of the gamers who said he copied somebody else’s story. The creator of the site put a strike on it and then put it back on."

For confidential support on any issue call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local Samaritans branch or visit www.samaritans.org

Cavendish Adam Smith
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