A CORONER has opened the inquest into a teenager who was found dead in Southminster earlier this month.

Layla Ahangari, who was 17, had left an address in Wonston Road, Southminster, and was found unresponsive in a nearby wooded area on February 12, 2024.

Coroner’s officer, Lance Hutchin, opened the inquest into Miss Ahangari’s death at Essex coroner’s court in Chelmsford on Monday morning.

He said: “On February 12, 2024, Layla was found unresponsive in an isolated wooded area.

“An ambulance was called and paramedics confirmed she had passed away.

“Full protocols were followed and her death was not suspicious."

A post-mortem gave a provisional cause of death as hanging.

Area coroner for Essex, Lincoln Brookes, then formally adjourned the inquest, adding he expects to hear the inquest himself in October.

He said: “I adjourn for that inquest to be heard on a provisional date of October 28 before myself.

“I adjourn to that day, and I also wish to express my deepest condolences to Layla’s family on the tragic death of Layla.”