University student, 21, who killed herself after suffering from the stress of dealing with her exams was found dead by her boyfriend at her house
Lauren McQuiad was found dead by her boyfriend at her student home in Cardiff nine days days before her dissertation presentation
A BRIGHT university student took her own life after struggling to cope with the stress of exams, an inquest has heard.
Lauren McQuaid, 21, who was diagnosed with depression two years ago, was in her final year of biochemistry studies at Cardiff University.
Her boyfriend, Michael Wanklin, told Cardiff Coroner's Court how he visited Miss McQuaid at her Cardiff student house in April.
He said: "I gave her a kiss on her forehead and she felt warm.
"She had been working hard so I didn't worry as I assumed she was just sleeping."
However when he returned the following day, he realised a handwritten letter lying next to her was a suicide note.
Mr Wanklin she was 'lying in the same position' but was 'pale and stiff'.
He added: "I was completely devastated.
"I don't know what led her to do this.
"But she was under pressure with her coursework.
"Perhaps that's the reason.
"I feel that I have let Lauren and her mum down in that I did not realise what her intentions were at the time."
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During the hearing on Monday it was revealed that Miss McQuaid, of Norton, Gloucestershire became concerned about her weight and began self-harming when she moved away for university.
Her mother, Joanne, said: "She was a bright, happy girl and the life and soul of the party.
"She lit up the room when she entered."
The court also heard how Miss McQuaid died on April 20, just nine days before she was due to present her university dissertation.
Assistant coroner, Thomas Atherton, ruled a verdict of suicide.
"It's clear what her intentions were at around that time, particularly with her history of depression and of cuts to herself," he said.
"I think it's quite clear that not only was it a deliberate act in taking tablets, but I think Lauren, being an intelligent young woman, she must have known that taking such an amount of substance would have led to her death.
"In an extremely upsetting and tragic case that someone with so much to live for could be overcome by her depression at such a critical time in her life, it may have been the stress put on by her studies which led to this."
Speaking after the inquest, Miss McQuaid's father, Dr Stuart McQuaid, said: "She was truly a fantastic person and it's so sad.
"We wish we could have helped her reach her full potential."