An autistic schoolboy was found hanged after he convinced himself he would not be able to get a job, learn to drive or be independent, an inquest heard on Wednesday.
Anxiety-ridden teenager Ellis Battersby had been missing for more than 12 hours when his body was found by school friend Fiona Passingham and her mum near their home, the coroner heard.
The 17-year-old had struggled to cope after moving from the Great Marlow school to a college in Henley-on-Thames and as his exams drew closer he disappeared following a regular day in class.
In a statement, Fiona said: "I often gave Ellis a lift to school. On February 26 I had been out with my family celebrating my mum's birthday when Tom (Ellis's brother) messaged me asking if I had seen Ellis.
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