Rugby star Isobelle Phipps sent chilling 4-word message to teacher before killing herself

A teenage rugby star messaged a teacher to say “thank you” and posted photos in a family group hours before she took her own life.

An inquest has heard how Isobelle Phipps, known as Issy, described as a “loveable and lively” teenager, told a trainee doctor that she was planning to

The 17-year-old visited her GP surgery in Gloucestershire, close to her residential sixth form college, to renew her antidepressant medication when she made the worrying confession to Dr Mostafa Hassan.

Dr Hassan said he had never dealt with a case like it before and asked for help from a senior colleague, who told him to give Issy the number for the crisis team and ask her to self-refer.

However, fearing that Issy would not use the number Dr Hassan also tried to contact the team himself to share his concerns for her welfare. Issy’s family praised Dr Hassan's efforts at the inquest, saying “the family are grateful”.

Reading Coroner's Court heard how later that day a tearful Issy told one of her teachers at Hartpury College “they called the crisis team on me,” but the 17-year-old said she was “fine” and had already been granted permission to return to her family home Berkshire while her family was away in Wales on a trip.

Assistant coroner Alison McCormick heard how Issy had messaged mum Sarah saying: "They referred me to crisis for concern for suicide but I have lovely weekend planned. Send me lots of pictures of you guys in Wales."

The alarm was raised later that evening when a teacher received a text from Issy which read: “you will forever be one of the best people I have met - thank you for everything." Issy also sent 28 pictures of her family to an extended WhatsApp group with the message “always family,” the Slough Observer reports.

A family friend tragically found Issy in the garage of the family home near Maidenhead, after being asked to go and check on her - she was unresponsive. The teen was found to have traces of cocaine in her system, as well more than 10 times the recommended dosage of an antidepressant drug, according to a toxicology report. Mum Sarah told the court how her daughter has suffered with episodes of self-harm, eating disorders, and severe depression since she was 12 years old.

A list of “positives and negatives” was found written on a nearby notepad with mentions of a sexual assault in the negatives column. Issy’s mum Sarah said she had not been aware of this incident, saying: “I was told there had been times in parties where people had been drinking and girls couldn't give consent."

In a post on social media England Touch, the governing body for Touch Rugby posted a tribute to Issy, saying: “Issy was part of the Girls 18s England team and played at the 2022 Junior Touch Championships, winning gold in a dramatic match.

"Issy was a much-loved member of the Girls 18s squad and many in our community have spoken of not just her passion and love for rugby and touch but her desire to share that passion with her peers and those younger than her."

Reading RFC also paid tribute to the talented rugby player, saying: “Issy was rugby-mad and was always a lively member of the squad and will be truly missed."

visited Issy’s old club in Maidenhead after her mum Sarah set up a charity appeal - the bereaved mum and shared a hug on the field before Sarah presented Kate with a pair of earrings made in memory of Issy by a family friend.

Speaking at the time, Sarah said: “Issy was wonderful and a real breath of fresh air. She had wonderful friends and surrounded herself with the best people. She was nailing life.

“Kate is just a real gentle soul, isn’t she. She just gave me a hug. She said she was devastated.” The inquest is set to continue on Thursday.

The Samaritans is available 24/7 if you need to talk. You can contact them for free by calling 116 123, email or head to the to find your nearest branch. You matter.