Adolescent Discovered Dead Following False Accusations of Taking Ashes
One 14-year-old youth was found dead just days following being wrongly accused of stealing the cremated remains of a deceased infant during a break-in, a coroner's inquiry has learned.
Heartbreaking Finding
Kai Lloyd's mother and father found his body in his bedroom at his Connah's Quay home on 19 November 2021.
Untrue Allegations Start
The investigation learned how his parent got a message on 8 November 2021 via social media, from a individual inquiring if Kai was her offspring. The communication added: "Tell him appreciation for breaking into my flat."
In a statement presented to the proceedings, Lisa Lloyd said the individual had been in the media, claiming her baby's ashes had been taken in a break-in - a allegation which was false.
Law Enforcement Investigation
An investigation report from police later determined the supposed burglary complainant had "provided false information" and "it now appears that said items was never stolen in the first place".
News coverage about the supposed stolen remains attracted online comments, and although Kai was not named in the messages, his parent said individuals "knew it was him".
The "social media content were really distressing", she said.
Mental Wellbeing Effect
She explained that her son had been diagnosed with mild attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and as part of that disorder, other peoples' views really were important to him.
"This must have affected him severely," she said, "especially when this was not true".
The teenager was arrested at his residence, but no evidence was discovered. He was taken to a police station and later released under investigation.
Police said they would be in touch, the inquest learned, but had failed to reached out to the relatives by the moment of his death.
Withdrawal and Worry
His parent said her son "became isolated" after the detention and "repeatedly inquired me whether I had heard anything from the authorities", because his condition meant sometimes "a minute could seem like much longer".
When she talked to him about the alleged burglary, she said her child told her he had entered the residence because the resident who lived there had said he could use the bathroom whenever he needed, but denied removing anything.
Digital Harassment
In a joint statement between her and her husband, the mother said her child was being harassed digitally after the accusations.
The proceedings learned that one young adult urged the teenager to kill himself.
She had no concerns on the evening before he died, explaining how she had heard him "chuckling and joking".
She described him as a "caring, loving" boy, and said her "family is totally shattered".
He had been "obviously concealing his concerns", she said, noting that he could not bear to have anybody "think bad of him".
School Response
The inquest heard from school personnel at the local High School.
On November 8th, she "overheard some students talking that Kai had been arrested and that was the initial I learned".
"He told me... he'd was innocent," she added.
After the conversation, the educator said she called Kai's family telephone and left a message saying she had communicated to Kai about the allegations.
The proceedings heard his family said they did not receive that communication.
Official Finding
Senior investigator informed the hearing he would wait for reports regarding what enhancements had been made to handling suspects with ADHD, before determining whether he should make a prevention of future deaths report.
Providing a descriptive conclusion, he stated: "Around 8 November 2021, unsubstantiated allegations were made against the teenager, a 14-year-old child.
"Probably untruths were subsequently embellished and exaggerated through the medium of social media.
"During November 11th, he was interviewed by the police and after his questioning he was freed while investigations continued."
The coroner concluded: "There is no proof that the acts or failures of any agency led to or contributed to his death and although it was the result of a personal action it is impossible to determine his purpose."
