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Police probing deaths of cousins Police probing deaths of cousins
(about 2 hours later)
Police are insisting the deaths of two cousins in Bridgend, south Wales, are not linked to 14 apparent suicides in the area over the past year.Police are insisting the deaths of two cousins in Bridgend, south Wales, are not linked to 14 apparent suicides in the area over the past year.
Nathaniel Pritchard, 15, died in hospital after "harming himself" and his cousin Kelly Stephenson, 20, was found hanged while on holiday in Kent.Nathaniel Pritchard, 15, died in hospital after "harming himself" and his cousin Kelly Stephenson, 20, was found hanged while on holiday in Kent.
Police said initial inquiries indicated that neither death was suspicious. Police said there was no evidence of a link to the other deaths.
They said there was no evidence to suggest they were linked to any other sudden deaths in Bridgend. The local AM said the county population was 130,000 and there appeared to be "a number of unrelated suicides."
Officers were called to Nathaniel's home in the Cefn Glas area of Bridgend on Wednesday night and he died in hospital after "harming himself".Officers were called to Nathaniel's home in the Cefn Glas area of Bridgend on Wednesday night and he died in hospital after "harming himself".
Each new death needs to be investigated individually Carwyn Jones AM
Friends said Kelly and Nathaniel were "very close".Friends said Kelly and Nathaniel were "very close".
Relatives confirmed she had been told about what happened to Nathaniel before he died.Relatives confirmed she had been told about what happened to Nathaniel before he died.
What we're looking at here it seems is a number of unrelated suicides Carwyn Jones AM
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.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.
South Wales Police are reviewing suicides among young people in the Bridgend area over the last year. A review by police of other suspected suicides in the area is expected to report next week.
A taskforce is also examining suicides in the county since 2004. But local assembly member Carwyn Jones said it was too early to decide whether a fuller inquiry was needed.
'Brilliant kids' "We're talking about suicides in a county of more than 130,000 people not just the town of Bridgend," said Mr Jones.
A spokeswoman for Kent Police said: "We can confirm that a 20-year-old woman was found dead at an address in Folkestone. 'Put upon'
"Officers are making inquiries but there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances. An inquest will be opened next week." "Some of the young people lived a long way apart and police have confirmed this many times.
Police are investigating the deaths but say it is too early to say how they are linked. "What we're looking at here it seems is a number of unrelated suicides. And it's worth emphasising that Bridgend is not way, way ahead of others.
It is thought both youngsters were members of the Bebo and Facebook internet social networking sites. "It was sixth in a table of counties at the last count - not something to boast about. But if it's the case that it looks like this number of unrelated suicides, it's difficult to see what an inquiry at this stage would lead to."
Relatives confirmed Ms Stephenson knew two previous young people from the Bridgend area who hanged themselves last year. The Bridgend AM said that the county had drawn up a draft suicide prevention strategy and it was "now a question of making sure the strategy was looked at and put into place".
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. He added that the area had lower unemployment and crime rates than London and local people felt "put upon" with some media coverage.
"Kelly and Nathaniel were both brilliant kids with good futures ahead of them." "There have been a number of lurid stories published in London about internet pacts and deaths cults but there's no evidence of this at all."
Team shock
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."
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  • Anyone worried about these issues can contact Samaritans or refer to advice on the BBC health pages.