Student accused of rape found dead on Dartmoor

A university student who had been charged with rape took his own life during the ongoing investigation, an inquest heard.

Thomas Wright, 22, boarded a train from Reading to Devon and was later discovered dead at Wistman's Wood in Two Bridges, Princetown, on April 2, 2024. He was located by volunteers with Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team after concerns for his welfare were reported by a friend he had disclosed the location to.

Thomas, a philosophy student at the University of Reading, was found with a suicide note and some other personal belongings. The medical cause of his death was ligature suspension, reports DevonLive.

An inquest at Exeter Coroner’s Court today, December 16, heard Thomas, who was born in Gillingham, had struggled with his mental health since he was 15 years old and had made previous attempts to end his life.

His GP records confirmed he reached out for mental health support in October 2022 after an allegation of rape was made against him. He requested help again in December 2022, following the death of his mum, but was not seen again by his doctor between then and his death.

His dad, Christopher, told in a statement how Thomas had postponed his studies after being arrested by the police and had been working for Thames Water. He described him as being an avid reader with interests in philosophy, politics, bouldering, sketching and playing Dungeons and Dragons.

He recalled he last saw him on March 17, when Thomas and his sister had gone to York to visit him while he was recuperating from cancer treatment. The last time he spoke to him was the day he died when he said Thomas had rung him to say he had 'headed west for an adventure'. He said Thomas had seemed subdued but said he felt okay.

Christopher said: "He was a free spirit and would frequently do what he wanted to." He added: "The passing of his mother had a profound effect on Thomas."

Where to get help and support

Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Signposting

• 24/7 NHS Mental health response line: For support and advice. Call free any time, day or night if you are worried about your own or someone else’s mental health. The team behind the 24/7 open access telephone response line will listen to you and determine how best to help. t: (for Plymouth - 0800 923 9323 (free) 24 hours a day/ (for Cornwall - 0800 038 5300)
• Samaritans: Emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide. t: 116 123, 24-hours a day e: jo@samaritans.org
• The NHS Talking therapies service (IAPT) provides free, confidential talking therapies for people aged 16 years and over experiencing common difficulties including low mood, stress, anxiety or worry. Call 01752 435419 in Plymouth to access, or call 01208 871905 in Cornwall.
• The Suicide Liaison Service is available to support adults over the age of 18 years who have been bereaved by suicide. If you or someone you know would like to access this free service, call 01208 871 905
• Man Down: supporting men's mental health in Cornwall - www.mandown-cornwall.co.uk
• ‘We are with you’ for support with alcohol, drugs or mental health call 01872 263001 or visit https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/services/cornwall-truro/.
• Childline: Free, private and confidential service for anyone under 19 where you can talk about anything. Whatever your worry, whenever you need help, anytime. t: 0800 1111 email or chat via www.childline.org.uk
• Shout: 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help. Text: 85258
• CALM Campaign Against Living Miserably: For men who are down or who need to talk, find information and support. t: 0800 58 58 58 5pm - midnight every day or webchat at www.thecalmzone.net
• If you are a young person or worried about a child you can call the Early Help Hub for advice and help (call 01872 322277 or email earlyhelphub@cornwall.gov.uk).
• Call 0300 777 4777 or visit https://saferfutures.org.uk/ if you or someone else is affected by domestic abuse, sexual violence and those demonstrating abusive behaviours.
• Sunrise runs safe and supportive events, workshops and activities for those affected by loss through suicide. Visit www.sunrisecornwall.org.uk or search Sunrise Cornwall on Facebook or Instagram
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• Andys Man Club offer safe non judgemental spaces where men can discuss their mental health or just get stuff off their chest. We meet every Monday 7-9pm (exc Bank Holidays) and have multiple locations in Devon - Plymouth City College, Plymouth Marjon University, Newton Abbot, Teignmouth, Exeter, Honiton, Torbay. For more information, please visit www.andysmanclub.co.uk.

His grandfather, Michael, a retired police officer with Kent Police, told in a statement that he believed the police investigation and how it was conducted had led to Thomas's death.

He said: "The delays in progressing the case led to a period of awful anxiety and stress for Thomas aggravated by, in my opinion, a failure to properly investigate the allegations fully. These failures directly contributed to Thomas taking his own life and I hold those directly involved responsible."

He confirmed he had lodged formal complaints with both Thames Valley Police and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which has confirmed it is carrying out a review of the case.

Michael added Thomas had rung him the day he died and that they had spoken about the charges against him. He said Thomas maintained his innocence and feared being found guilty of a crime he said he did not commit and being given a long prison sentence.

Recording a conclusion of suicide, assistant coroner Mike Bird, said: "His death appears to have been a planned decision that he did not overtly warn anyone about."

He continued: "Life events have been referenced including the death of his mother and how significantly that had affected him and he had also been charged with a serious offence in October 2022 which he denied but which was clearly a source of anxiety and stress for him and everything that would have come with that sort of serious charge."

Following the inquest, DevonLive obtained the following statement from the IOPC.

An IOPC spokesperson said: “In May, we received a complaint referral from Thames Valley Police, which included allegations that the force failed to promptly investigate allegations against a man. We decided that an investigation into the complaint was required and that it should be carried out by the force’s professional standards department.

"The complainant was advised that they would have a right to review to the IOPC at the conclusion of the force’s investigation, if they were not satisfied with the outcome. In July, we received a review request from the complainant.

"When carrying out a review, our role is to decide whether the force’s handling of the investigation or its outcome were reasonable and proportionate. We cannot reinvestigate the complaint. The complainant will be notified of the outcome of our review.”