Youth Discovered Deceased Following Untrue Allegations of Taking Ashes
A 14-year-old boy was discovered deceased only a few days after being falsely blamed of taking the cremated remains of a deceased infant during a burglary, a coroner's inquiry has learned.
Tragic Finding
Kai Lloyd's mother and father found his remains in his room at his Connah's Quay residence on November 19th, 2021.
False Allegations Begin
The inquest heard how his mother received a message on November 8th, 2021 via social media, from a individual inquiring if Kai was her child. The message added: "Tell him thanks for breaking into my apartment."
In a testimony presented to the court, the mother said the woman had been in the news, claiming her baby's remains had been taken in a break-in - a allegation which was untrue.
Police Inquiry
An investigation report from authorities later determined the supposed break-in complainant had "provided false information" and "evidence shows that the property was never taken in the beginning".
Media reports about the supposed stolen remains attracted online responses, and although Kai was not identified in the messages, his parent said people "understood it was him".
The "online posts were extremely distressing", she said.
Emotional Health Effect
She explained that her son had been identified with mild attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and as part of that disorder, other peoples' opinions genuinely were important to him.
"This must have hurt him deeply," she said, "particularly when this was untrue".
The teenager was detained at home, but nothing was discovered. He was transported to a law enforcement facility and later released pending further inquiry.
Authorities said they would be in touch, the inquest heard, but had failed to reached out to the family by the moment of his death.
Withdrawal and Anxiety
His parent said her son "withdrew into himself" after the detention and "would keep asking 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 supposed burglary, she said her son informed her he had gone into the house because the woman who resided there had said he could use the toilet whenever he wanted, but denied removing anything.
Online Bullying
In a combined testimony between her and her spouse, Mrs Lloyd said her son was being harassed online after the accusations.
The inquest heard that a young adult encouraged the teenager to kill himself.
She had no worries on the night before he passed away, explaining how she had listened to him "laughing and joking".
She portrayed him as a "caring, loving" young man, and said her "family is totally devastated".
He had been "clearly concealing his worries", she said, noting that he could not stand to have anyone "have negative thoughts of him".
Educational Reaction
The inquest heard from educational staff at the local High School.
On November 8th, she "overheard some boys discussing that Kai had been arrested and that was the initial I heard".
"He told me... he'd done nothing wrong," she continued.
After the conversation, the educator said she called the family's family landline and left a voicemail saying she had spoken to Kai about the accusations.
The court learned his parents said they did not got that communication.
Formal Conclusion
Senior investigator told the hearing he would await documents regarding what enhancements had been made to dealing with suspects with the condition, before deciding whether he should make a avoidance of future deaths report.
Providing a narrative finding, he said: "Approximately November 8th, 2021, unsupported accusations were made against the teenager, a 14-year-old individual.
"Likely untruths were subsequently exaggerated and exaggerated through the platform of social media.
"During 11 November, he was interviewed by the authorities and following his interview he was freed whilst inquiries proceeded."
The official concluded: "Exists no evidence that the acts or omissions of any agency caused or contributed to his death and although it was the result of a self-inflicted act it is not possible to determine his purpose."
