Girl, 16, who auditioned for BGT took own life after ‘sexual abuse by dad’s friend’

A 16-year-old girl who auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent took her own life after allegedly being raped.

Beatrix Hart, known as Trixie, was tragically found dead at her home in Cornwall in September 2018.

Her family said she had been subject to “vicious” online abuse and would often be left in floods of tears in front of a computer.

Trixie’s mental health began to deteriorate after she started attending Callington Community College in Cornwall, Cornwall Coroner’s Court heard.

She was bulled and started to self-harm, the inquest was told.

Trixie later moved to live with her dad in Southampton, Dorset and got involved in the open mic scene.

But while living there, she was allegedly groomed by a male friend of her father’s.

Police investigated the allegations but didn’t pursue charges.

The coroner heard Trixie felt frustrated and let down by the police after being told the sexual abuse allegations weren’t been taken further.

She stopped taking her medication and returned to her mother’s home in Cornwall, where she continued to struggle with her mental health.

On the Friday before she died, Trixie claimed she had been “raped” by a boy in college – although no charges were brought after he claimed it was consensual.

On the day of her death, her mum Charlotte Ballinger went into her daughter’s room to wake her up for college.

After she finished work she returned home, where Trixie was found dead after hanging herself.

Speaking outside the inquest, her family claim she was the target of online abuse due to her “alternative” look and jealousy over her singing voice.

A family member said she felt the bullying – on top of her battles with mental health – had become too much for the teen to cope with.

They added: “She was horribly misunderstood, and subjected to bullying online. People fell out with her and called her a slag and told her she was ugly.

“She had an amazing singing voice and I think there was jealousy about that. It was relentless.

“It wasn’t just bullying, it contributed to an already anxious girl.

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“Social media didn’t cause her problems but it certainly didn’t help her mental instability and depression which was part of her make-up.”

Trixie last auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent in October 2014 as a 12-year-old but despite two attempts never made it on the television version of the show.

For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.