TRAGIC teenager Nikki Dunbar took her own life a day after telling police she had been raped by a stranger, an inquest heard today.

The 17-year-old, of Crown Close, Pewsham, who was a talented synchronised swimmer, was found dead at home by her mother on November 28 last year. She had hanged herself from the banister using an electric cable.

Devizes Coroner's Court heard she had told her former boyfriend Gavin Eyles she was attacked in woods near her home two days earlier.

She said she had been out walking the dog when a man attacked her from behind pushing her to the ground and sitting on her stomach.

However, after a thorough police investigation no evidence was find to corroborate her claims. Examinations on Nikki also found no evidence she had been physically or sexually assaulted.

It was revealed Nikki had been unhappy about the end of her relationship and had been prescribed anti-depressants, but her GP and parents said she had never shown sides of being suicidal.

A member of her swimming team said Nikki had twice tried to take her life in the past.

After her death, police found a note on the teenager's bed which read: "I've done it because I'm so unhappy."

Wiltshire coroner David Masters said: "Nikki was clearly a very confused young lady. She was in torment and evidently disturbed.

"This was a tragic waste of a young life."

Verdict: Suicide.