A heartbroken mum has paid an emotional tribute to her teenage daughter who hanged herself in her bedroom.

Hanna Gilbert, 16, was discovered by her friend, Rachel Herbert, who had been staying over at her home in Clacton, on February 17.

The teenager was certified dead at Colchester General Hospital.

An inquest heard Hanna had been with friends the previous night. Tests revealed she had drunk enough to be twice the legal drink-drive limit.

She had rowed with her boyfriend, but they had made up before she returned to the family's home, in Wellesley Road.

Rachel went to Hanna's room at 5am, after spending the night on the sofa and discovered her friend.

Attempts to revive the teenager failed.

A post-mortem examination confirmed she had died from asphyxia caused by hanging. Police found no suspicious circumstances.

Hanna's mother, Glenda Gilbert, last saw her daughter alive just before midnight, when she went to check on her over the road at her friend's house.

"She said she was OK and would see me in the morning," said Mrs Gilbert.

The inquest heard Hanna had slashed her arms and wrists in the past as a "cry for help". She had also played truant from Clacton County High School, where she was popular.

Her mother choked back tears as she was shown a handwritten note found on Hanna's bed.

"She would get mood swings like all teenagers," said Mrs Gilbert.

"But she never said she was going to kill herself."

Hanna's older sister, Kathryn, 22, believed she had committed suicide.

"She self-harmed before and that was her way of crying for help," she told the inquest.

"My personal opinion is she did intend to kill herself."

Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray said there was insufficient evidence for a suicide verdict.

"The amount of alcohol in her system may have clouded her judgment," she said.

Recording an open verdict, Mrs Beasley-Murray told Hanna's family: "I hope you can treasure all those happy positive memories of her."

After the inquest, Mrs Gilbert paid tribute to Hanna.

"She was a beloved daughter, sister and friend," she told the Gazette.

"She will be sadly missed by everyone whose lives she ever touched."

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