A teenager is believed to have shot himself dead while on the phone to police in woods near Witney.

Alexander Codrington, 16, was found dead in a wooded area near Leafield shortly before dawn on Friday.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is now investigating the action of police officers who responded to the incident to see whether anything could have been done differently.

Officers were called at 3.20am by a friend who was concerned about Alexander’s welfare.

They went to the friend’s house and about about 4.20am, police contacted him via his mobile phone.

One officer stayed on the phone to him until 5.20am before hearing a gun shot.

Coroner Nicholas Gardiner opened an inquest into his death yesterday.