The Zimbabwean teen found hanged in the bedroom of her boyfriend’s flat in Hatfield, UK died of “self harm,” an inquest has concluded.

Samatha Masvodza, 19, was buried in 2009 but her distraught parents had demanded answers ever since. Last March an exhumation was ordered by a coroner into her death by Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit so the circumstances surrounding it could be re-examined.

In a statement, Samatha’s parents, Raymond and Priscilla said at the time :”The past 16 months have been difficult as we have to deal with losing our daughter and comforting her younger sister following her tragic and untimely death on October 18, 2009, ten days short of her 20th birthday.

“Time has moved on but the memories in our hearts are rekindled with each shared moment and recollection of times spent together.”

At a press conference before the exhumation took place, Detective Chief Inspector Melanie Burn said: “This course of action has been carefully considered in full consultation with Samantha’s family who are keen to ensure that the cause of her death is accurately recorded.”

A second postmortem was carried out following the exhumation.

At an inquest held on Tuesday and Wednesday, Coroner Edward Thomas gave the verdict that her death was ‘self harm’.

At the time of her death Samantha was studying a biomedical degree at St George’s College in Tooting.

By Staff reporter and agencies