Kurtis Ward was just 21 when his mother found him dead inside the loft of their Norwich home on July 2, 2022.

This week, after two days of evidence and four years of waiting, a coroner concluded that Kurt - as he was known to his loved ones - died by suicide.

It was not the answer his mother Rachel Spinney had hoped for.

Kurtis Ward died by suicide (Image: Supplied)

She had spent years pressing agencies to explain decisions made in the weeks before his death.

And she remained determined to understand whether opportunities had been missed to support a young man with autism, anxiety and complex health needs who had also taken on caring responsibilities within his family.

While the coroner found no direct link between the actions of services and Mr Ward’s death, the hearing laid bare the pressures facing a family struggling to navigate a maze of health and social care systems.

Norfolk Coroner's Court examined the circumstances leading up to his death (Image: Newsquest)

Evidence revealed at Norfolk Coroner’s Court also shone a light on the challenges faced by young carers, particularly as they transition into adulthood and move between children and adult services.

Mr Ward had undergone major surgery to remove his bowel and lived with autism spectrum disorder and anxiety.

Despite those challenges, the inquest painted a picture of an intelligent and determined young man with ambitions for the future.

Kurtis Ward died by suicide in 2022 (Image: Courtesy of family)

He had successfully secured an apprenticeship as a healthcare assistant on an acute medical ward at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.

For a young man with his health history and additional needs, it was a significant achievement.

Miss Spinney, who now lives in Thetford, said staff had been hugely impressed by him and he was looking forward to starting work.

At the same time, however, Mr Ward was becoming increasingly........

© Norwich Evening News