A talented student took his own life after being the target of cyberbullying at a Norfolk university, an inquest has heard.

Michael Tarrier, 20, was found dead in his shared student house in Oak Street, Norwich, in the early hours of January 29, 2022.

The previous June, fellow undergraduates at the Norwich University of the Arts, had compiled a PowerPoint presentation in which they mocked aspects of his behaviour and personality.

That same month, Mr Tarrier, who was autistic, sought support for his poor mental health and for self harming.

Eastern Daily Press: Michael Tarrier

Another student raised concerns with the university about the document and said that Mr Tarrier, from Salisbury, in Wiltshire, was a target of cyberbullying.

The university took steps to identify those behind it but they did not contact Mr Tarrier directly.

It has since conducted an internal inquiry into his death which found "a number of cyberbullying issues" on his games art and design course.

It went as far as to question if there had been "a culture of cyberbullying” at the time.

Eastern Daily Press: Silly selfies with Michael Tarrier and his mum

Following the inquest, Mr Tarrier’s mother, Claire Russell, said: “The cyberbullying really needs to be more heavily addressed – which was outside the remit of the inquest. 

“The problem was that Michael, having his disabilities [of autism, hypermobility and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which affects joints and skin], he relied strongly with being able to connect with people online. It was a blessing to him. 

“So, when it turned on him, it had a bigger impact on him than it might have done in other people. 

“Being online was his safe space – and that was taken away from him.”

Eastern Daily Press: Michael Tarrier with his older sister

The inquest heard that Mr Tarrier, who was in the top five students on the course, started at the university in September 2020.

The PowerPoint document - described as "antagonising" - had been created in June 2021.

That same month, he sought support from student services. He also registered with his local GP and referred himself to the NHS wellbeing service.

On returning for his second year, Mr Tarrier was involved in further incidents, including police being called to his home due to a fight with a housemate, where both individuals sustained minor injuries. 

Eastern Daily Press: Michael Tarrier with his siblings

The inquest, which took place at Norfolk Coroner’s Court at County Hall, Norwich, heard that during the early hours of the morning of January 29, 2022, Mr Tarrier had been texting his ex-girlfriend, Gabriella Piper, who was also a housemate. 

Samantha Gower, assistant coroner for Norfolk who led the proceedings, explained how he had described in his messages to her feeling “terrified, broken and needing cuddles”. 

It was not until he had stopped texting her back, she decided to check on him and found Mr Tarrier hanging in his room.

She called 999, and CPR was given by another person in the house, before paramedics arrived to take over 11 minutes later. 

He was declared dead at the scene around 6.15am.

Ms Goward confirmed that Mr Tarrier had been “the subject of online bullying” and recorded a short narrative conclusion. 

“Michael died as a result of a deliberate act of hanging however it is not known if this was a deliberate attempt to end his life as his state of mind at the time was unknown," she added. 

Eastern Daily Press: Michael Tarrier a a boy with his mum

Chris Green, a former senior lecture at NUA, taught Mr Tarrier in his second year of his games art and design course. 

He said: “He was extremely polite, witty, and engaging throughout. I always came away with a smile and appreciation of his attendance. 

“He was funny and always smiling and his creative work was always promising. 

“I had him pegged as one of the students who would do well. 

“I’m extremely shocked by what has happened and still feel blindsided.” 

Mr Green went on to say that Mr Tarrier was a “top five” student in his class, and one that he actively looked out for and encouraged. 

Since Mr Tarrier's death, the university has developed a new Report and Support process to assist students and staff to raise awareness of the issue and the impact of cyberbullying. 

The aim is to make it easier for students to report such incidents.

NUA has been approached for comment.

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