TRIBUTES have been paid to a talented 15 year old who took his own life after being vilified on social media, an inquest heard.

'Popular' Max Thurnell-Read hanged himself after he was accused of asking to touch a girl's breast at a sleepover and then treated like a 'monster'.

However, Winchester Coroners' Court heard that a police investigation concluded he was not guilty 'in any way shape or form'.

The complaint was also dropped.

Daily Echo: Max Thurnell-ReadMax Thurnell-Read

But despite this, the distressed teenager, who attended The Arnewood School in New Milton, was vilified on social media and bombarded with 'toxic' and 'vile' messages from fellow pupils.

His heartbroken mother, Tracy Stevens, sobbed as she told the inquest how her musically gifted son was 'frightened' of going to school as the situation was like a 'witch hunt'.

She said: "The four weeks leading to his death with the messages he received ultimately led to his decision to take his own life."

A coroner said she hoped all those involved would 'reflect on the power of their words' as the schoolboy had 'not done anything wrong'.

The month before his death, Max told a doctor he was feeling 'really low in mood' and 'not 100 per cent himself'.

He was found hanging in his bedroom by his parents on May 4 last year at their home in New Milton.

He was later pronounced dead at Southampton General Hospital.

A post mortem examination revealed his cause of death was asphyxiation.

His teacher, Michael Biles, described him as a 'brilliant student - someone you would want to have in your class'.

A GoFundMe page was set up for donations to Young Minds, a charity which supports young people, which has raised almost £3,500.

A bench in Max's memory is at Ballard’s Lake, where his family go to think about him, and his mother said she was comforted by seeing other young people there.

POLICE: 'NOT GUILTY IN ANY WAY'

The court heard that Max became 'sad and withdrawn' after the accusation was made.

Daily Echo: Max Thurnell-Read, 15, a pupil at the Arnewood School, New Milton, was a talented actor and musician.

The matter was reported to police, but DI Robert Harrington told Winchester Coroners' Court: "Nothing has been proven at all.

"Max was not found guilty in any way shape or form. My colleagues were satisfied that no further actions were to be taken. [Those involved] were updated of this."

Despite this, Max continued to face 'harassment'.

'TREATED LIKE A MONSTER'

The youngster became 'sad and withdraw' and when lockdown ended in March 2021, he stopped going to school.

His mother said: "He was treated like a monster.

"Distraught was not a strong enough word to describe how he felt. He just wanted his life back.

"They never saw the affect those messages had on him. He would put off reading these messages for days until he was with us."

She added: "I have had visits from [his peers] since who said they wished they had not turned [their backs] on him."

Ms Stevens said that her son was a 'proud member' of the LGBTQ+ Community and first went to a Pride march in Southampton in 2019.

On the day of his death, Max, a keen guitarist, had a 'full day planned' of counselling and drama.

And despite being reassured that the head teacher would meet him at the school gate to accompany him to class, he became 'increasingly anxious' and did not go in.

His counselling was also cancelled by the counsellor at the last minute.

Daily Echo: Max Thurnell-Read, 15, a pupil at the Arnewood School, New Milton, was a talented actor and musician.

'I'M SO SORRY'

Hampshire Area Coroner Rosamund Rhodes-Kemp said: "[Max] had been experiencing problems... at school and had become very troubled by this during April 2021."

She added: "Hopefully they will all reflect on the power of their words. It is important that people realise the consequences of a social media culture.

"I don't think Max did anything wrong and things got out of hand.

"I'm so sorry - I don't think his death was necessary.

"The only good that has come out of it is that there has been reflection on the power of words and the need to use them carefully, and that those involved in the future will be less quick to turn on someone and gang up."

'THE MOST WONDERFUL SON'

In a statement issued shortly after the teenager’s death Arnewood headteacher Nigel Pressnell said: “This is devastating news for the whole school community. Max was a lovely boy with a real talent for music and drama.”

His family added: “Max was the most wonderful son, brother, grandson and nephew. He was a caring friend to many and an enthusiastic part of the community.”

And speaking to the Echo previously, his older brother, Turlough Stevens, said: “Max was an awesome musician and enjoyed the performing arts. 

"He was a happy boy who was always positive and kind, someone who would always make people laugh and smile - even when they were feeling down.”

He added: “As his big brother and best friend I want to do everything I can to show support to other young people struggling with mental health problems.”