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Young cousins 'are found hanged' | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Two young cousins from Bridgend have been found hanged within hours of each other, it has been confirmed. | |
Nathaniel Pritchard, 15, from Bridgend, died in hospital. | |
Kelly Stephenson, 20, who had been told her cousin was in a serious condition, was found hanged while on holiday in Kent. Police said it was too early to say how the deaths were linked. | |
It brings the number of apparent suicides among young people in the Bridgend area to 16 in the past year. | |
At least 14 other young people in the Bridgend area have died in suspected suicides | |
Officers were called to Nathaniel's home in the Cefn Glas area of Bridgend on Thursday night and the force said he died after "harming himself". | |
His death is not believed to be suspicious "or linked to any other incidents or sudden deaths in the area," said a South Wales Police spokesman. | |
Each new death needs to be investigated individually Carwyn Jones AM | |
Ms Stephenson and Nathaniel were said to be "very close" by friends. | |
Relatives confirmed that she had been told about Nathaniel and that there was little hope he would pull through. | |
Ms Stephenson, who was on holiday in Folkestone, told a relative she was going to the bathroom but when she did not come downstairs they went to investigate and found her dead. | |
'Brilliant kids' | |
A spokeswoman for Kent Police said: "We can confirm that a 20-year-old woman was found dead at an address in Folkestone. | |
"Officers are making inquiries but there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances. An inquest will be opened next week." | |
Police are investigating the deaths but say it is too early to say if they are linked. | |
It is thought both youngsters were members of the Bebo and Facebook internet social networking sites. | |
Relatives confirmed Ms Stephenson knew two previous young people from the Bridgend area who hanged themselves last year. | |
A relative of both youngsters said: "Kelly was friends with both boys but whether this had anything to do with what has happened we just don't know. | |
"Kelly and Nathaniel were both brilliant kids with good futures ahead of them." | |
Ms Stephenson was a keen footballer and had recently signed for local team Porthcawl Lightning Strikers. | |
Manager Tony Morgan said: "She had only played one game for us - I couldn't pick her for this weekend because she was going away on holiday. It is a shock...Everyone at the club will be shocked." | |
Bridgend AM Carwyn Jones said: "It's important to understand that there is no link between the recent suicides in Bridgend, and each new death needs to be investigated individually. | |
"Obviously, I pass my sympathy to the families of Nathaniel Pritchard and Kelly Stephenson on their double loss." | |
South Wales Police are reviewing suicides among young people in the Bridgend area over the last year. | South Wales Police are reviewing suicides among young people in the Bridgend area over the last year. |
A taskforce is also examining suicides in the county since 2004. | A taskforce is also examining suicides in the county since 2004. |