Fashion industry blamed for tragic teenager's death (From Somerset County Gazette)

Fashion industry blamed for tragic teenager's death

2:55pm Wednesday 20th June 2012 in Taunton

THE tragic death of a teenage girl who was found hanged after suffering from an eating disorder has been blamed on the fashion industry.

West Somerset Coroner Michael Rose has called for magazines and catwalks to stop using thin models after 14-year-old Fiona Geraghty was found dead at her home in Nailsbourne on July 14.

Speaking at West Somerset Coroner's Court in Taunton, he said: “The problem of eating disorders among young people, particularly young girls, didn't exist before the 1970s. It was from that point onwards that the fashion industry and magazines promoted thin models.

"I'd ask them to stop publishing photos of thin girl - I believe Vogue has taken this decision. I do implore it, because at the end of the day, for their benefit, families like Fiona's have suffered.”

He added: "This is one of the most tragic cases to come before me in four decades sitting as coroner.

"It concerns a very young girl, Fiona Mary Geraghty, who was just over 14. There's a young girl on the threshold of life - intelligent, charming, attractive and somebody with everything to live for."

He also criticised the 'pandora's box' of the internet and said Fiona's death was triggered when her laptop was confiscated in June following two incidents of putting sensitive information online.

He recorded a death by misadventure, with the medical cause being asphyxia. He extended his condolences to Fiona's family.