A 15-year-old boy, described as ‘loving’, tragically passed away at home while his mother was away for a short time, as revealed in an inquest. Zack Ellis, who was dealing with mental health challenges, had been receiving support from various organizations, including the NHS Pennine Care Trust’s CAMHS service and Oldham Council’s social services, in the period leading up to the incident.
Upon her return from dropping off a friend, his mother found Zack’s body in his bedroom on July 23, 2024. The court learned from DCI Hunter of Greater Manchester Police that there was no note in his room, but his phone search history indicated he had recently looked up information on how to end his life.
Kathleen, his mother, described Zack as an ‘awesome’, ‘loving’, and ‘quirky’ individual who was a great older sibling to his brothers and sisters. Despite facing bullying at school, he had a strong support system of friends and a close relationship with his family.
Zack, who had a passion for art and photography, transferred to Salford City University Technical College at the age of 14. While he enjoyed his time at the UTC, his mental health began to decline in mid-2022, leading to self-harm episodes.
At the Rochdale Coroner’s Court hearing on January 15, it was disclosed that Zack had transitioned from female to male at a young age and had taken on the name Zack around the age of 12. The family had been under a child protection plan following a domestic violence incident, according to reports from the Manchester Evening News.
Raised in Stalybridge, the family moved to Oldham in 2023. Kathleen acknowledged the challenges they faced at home and mentioned occasional disagreements but stressed their strong bond. The family had requested assessments for ADHD and autism for Zack, which had not been acted upon.
The court heard that Zack had been self-harming since the age of 11 and had ongoing struggles with mental health. Despite receiving support from CAMHS and social services, including safety strategies and therapy sessions, Zack faced challenges in maintaining consistent attendance and benefitting from the services offered.
Various professionals involved in Zack’s care, such as mental health practitioners, social workers, and educators, provided insights into their interactions with him and the efforts made to support his well-being. Despite these efforts, the tragic outcome was a result of hanging, as determined by the pathologist.
In hindsight, there were discussions about potential missed opportunities and areas for improvement in Zack’s care, including the need for better coordination among the different agencies involved in his support.