Youth Discovered Dead Following Untrue Allegations of Taking Ashes

Family Photo
The teenager's mother and father found his remains in his room in November 2021

A 14-year-old youth was found dead only a few days after being wrongly blamed of stealing the ashes of a deceased infant during a burglary, an inquest has heard.

Heartbreaking Discovery

The young boy's parents found his body in his room at his Connah's Quay home on 19 November 2021.

False Allegations Start

The investigation learned how his mother got a communication on November 8th, 2021 via online platforms, from a individual inquiring if Kai was her offspring. The message stated: "Inform him appreciation for burgling my flat."

In a statement read to the proceedings, the mother said the individual had been in the news, claiming her baby's ashes had been taken in a burglary - a claim which was false.

Law Enforcement Inquiry

An official inquiry from police later determined the supposed burglary victim had "provided false information" and "evidence shows that said property was not stolen in the beginning".

News coverage about the alleged stolen remains generated online comments, and although the teenager was not identified in the messages, his mother said individuals "knew it was him".

The "social media content were really upsetting", she said.

Mental Wellbeing Impact

She added that her son had been diagnosed with mild ADHD, and as part of that condition, other individuals' views genuinely were important to him.

"It would have affected him severely," she said, "especially when this was untrue".

The teenager was arrested at home, but nothing was found. He was transported to a police station and later released pending further inquiry.

Police said they would be in touch, the hearing learned, but had failed to reached out to the relatives by the time of his death.

Isolation and Worry

His parent said Kai "became isolated" after the detention and "would keep asking me whether I had heard anything from the authorities", because his condition meant sometimes "certain periods could seem like days".

When she talked to him about the alleged burglary, she said her child informed her he had entered the residence because the woman who lived there had said he could utilize the bathroom whenever he wanted, but denied removing anything.

Digital Harassment

In a combined testimony between her and her spouse, Mrs Lloyd said her son was being bullied digitally after the accusations.

The inquest learned that a 19-year-old urged Kai to end his life.

She had no worries on the evening before he passed away, explaining how she had listened to him "laughing and teasing".

She portrayed him as a "caring, affectionate" boy, and said her "relatives is totally shattered".

He had been "obviously hiding his concerns", she said, adding that he could not bear to have anybody "think bad of him".

School Response

The hearing received testimony from educational staff at Connah's Quay High School.

On November 8th, she "overheard some students discussing that Kai had been detained and that was the initial I learned".

"He informed me... he'd done nothing wrong," she continued.

After the discussion, the staff member said she called the family's family telephone and provided a voicemail saying she had spoken to Kai about the allegations.

The proceedings learned his family said they did not got that message.

Formal Finding

Lead investigator told the inquest he would wait for reports regarding what enhancements had been made to handling individuals with the condition, before deciding whether he should make a prevention of subsequent fatalities report.

Providing a narrative finding, he stated: "Approximately 8 November 2021, unsupported allegations were made against Kai Benjamin Lloyd, a young child.

"Probably untruths were subsequently exaggerated and exaggerated through the medium of online networks.

"On November 11th, he was questioned by the authorities and after his questioning he was freed while investigations proceeded."

The coroner determined: "Exists no evidence that the acts or failures of any organization led to or contributed to his passing and although it was the outcome of a personal act it is not possible to discern his purpose."

Elizabeth Suarez
Elizabeth Suarez

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