A TRANSGENDER woman who was found dead at Armley Prison in Leeds, was considered to be at risk of self-harm, an inquest was told today.
Vikki Thompson, 21, of Neville Street, Keighley, died at Armley jail on November 13 after previously saying she would kill herself if sent to a male prison.
She was born male but had identified as female since her mid-teens.
Ms Thompson was in custody awaiting sentencing for robbery and was being held in a single cell.
Wakefield Coroner's Court was told staff had been checking her hourly.
When she was checked at 8.10pm she could not be seen so staff entered her cell. They found her hanged.
Emergency services responded but she was confirmed dead 38 minutes later. A post-mortem examination found the cause of death was believed to be hanging.
The inquest was adjourned pending investigations by the police and Prison Service.
A spokesman for Ms Thompson's family said a private family funeral service would be held at the Knowle in Keighley at 10.30am on Thursday, December 3, and will be followed by a cremation.
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