Inquest into Deaf TikTok Star’s Suicide Halted After Interpreter Unavailable ‘Due to Circumstances Beyond Our Control’

Inquiry into Deaf TikTok Star’s Suicide Delayed Due to Lack of Interpreter

An investigation into the tragic death of popular TikTok influencer Imogen Nunn, who was deaf, has hit a roadblock as a crucial sign language interpreter was unable to attend the proceedings. Nunn, with an impressive following of nearly 780,000 on TikTok, was discovered deceased in her apartment on January 1, 2023, as reported by noted sources like the BBC and The Guardian.

Reports suggest that the 25-year-old social media sensation confided in a support worker about her struggles with mental health and mentioned a “pro-suicide forum” before revealing her intention to end her life using a substance obtained online. Fast forward two years later, an inquiry commenced on March 17 at the coroner’s court in Horsham, a town in England. Her mother, Louise Sutherland, alleged that Nunn’s untimely passing could have been prevented if appropriate measures had been taken in response to her daughter’s cries for help.

However, on Wednesday, March 26, the BBC revealed that the investigation had to be halted. The West Sussex County Council had reportedly arranged for a sign language interpreter, but due to unforeseen circumstances, they were unable to fulfil their role, prompting the adjournment of the proceedings.

Prior to this interruption, Sutherland expressed her dissatisfaction with the professional services, stating that they had let Nunn down. She mentioned that her daughter, who was profoundly deaf, struggled with mental health issues since the age of 14, which included multiple suicide attempts.

During the probe, it came to light that Nunn had disclosed her suicidal thoughts to a support worker at the deaf adult community team (DACT) at South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust on November 23, 2022. Shockingly, a British Sign Language interpreter was not present during the subsequent welfare check, and Nunn did not receive further mental health support for several weeks following that encounter.

The heartbreaking sequence of events continued when Nunn, who spent Christmas with her parents, reportedly harmed herself on December 29, 2022, leading to treatment for an arm wound at the Royal Sussex County Hospital. The inquest also unveiled a text message from Nunn to her care coordinator at the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, where she expressed her dire need for admission to a facility with sign language support due to her deteriorating mental state.

As the inquiry progressed, it was revealed that Nunn conversed with her psychologist on December 30, 2022, admitting to feeling unsafe and divulging her plan to take her own life with a poisonous substance. Although she agreed to be admitted to a mental health crisis unit, the scheduled admission did not materialise as her care coordinator failed to meet her, resulting in tragic consequences.

In a poignant statement read at the inquiry, Sutherland conveyed, “Immy didn’t want to die, but she was exhausted from fighting desperately for the help she needed.” The narrative of missed opportunities and systemic failures underscores the importance of providing adequate mental health support, especially for vulnerable individuals like Imogen Nunn, who deserved better care and attention.

If you or anyone you know is grappling with suicidal thoughts, remember that help is available through resources like the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or the Crisis Text Line by texting “STRENGTH” to 741741. Let’s strive to create a society where mental health support is accessible to all, ensuring that tragedies like Nunn’s death can be prevented in the future.