A 14-year-old schoolgirl is believed to have killed herself after she was the victim of alleged sexual abuse by a lodger in her family home.
Georgia Hedges was rushed to hospital after being found hanging in a room at her home in Witham, Essex. She was transferred to a specialist unit at Adenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge but died two days later.
The Evening Standard reports that it has now emerged that a 38-year-old man has been charged with engaging in sexual activity with the teenager.
Bramwell Walls was arrested on the day of Georgia's death and charged the following day.
Walls, of Walthamstow, London, appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court to answer a single charge of engaging in sexual activity with a girl.
He has yet to enter a plea and the case was adjourned until later this year when he will appear at Chelmsford Crown Court.
The newspaper reported that Walls was a lodger at Georgia's house and started a secret relationship with the teenager.
An inquest into Georgia's death is due to be opened by Essex Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray today. It is expected to be a short hearing that will be opened and the case be adjourned whilst further investigations take place.
An Essex Police spokesman confirmed officers were continuing to investigate the cause of death.
He said: "A post-mortem was carried out on Friday and a provisional cause of death has shown the girl died of compression of the neck."