A teenage couple ran into the path of a train because their cultural differences meant they could not to be together, an inquest heard today.
Charleigh Disbrey, 15, known as CJ to friends, died along with 18-year-old Turkish boyfriend Mert Karaoglan on June 17 last year near Elstree and Borehamwood station.
They were seen by the London First Capital Connect driver but he was unable to do anything to avoid hitting them.
Hertforshire deputy coroner Graham Danbury said: “They had been in a close relationship for a relatively short time - a month or so - and appear to have decided that because of cultural and family issues they were not going to be allowed to develop their relationship.”
Charleigh, who had a history of depression, dreamed of being a professional musician and had auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent and Sky TV’s Must Be The Music.
The inquest heard she had taken overdoses on the past and in the month leading up to her death had expressed suicidal tendencies.
Charleigh and keen photographer Mert met at the Hartswood Academy where they both studied.
The inquest also heard from Harry Whitlock, a friend of Mert’s, who said he received a Snapchat picture of the couple standing on the bridge over the railway line.
“It was just them two together, just smiling,” he explained.
Charleigh sent a number of text messages to friends in the hours before her death saying “sorry” and telling them she loved them.
In one she wrote: “I have met the most amazing person - he is my life.”
Charleigh and Mert, both from Borehamwood, Herts, died of multiple traumatic injuries.
Recording a conclusion of suicide, Mr Danbury said: “Because of Mert’s background it seems like a relationship between him and Charleigh would not have been approved by his family.
“And it seems to me that such was the intensity of their feelings for each other that they ignored the effect that their acts would have on others - their family, their friends and the train driver.”
