Adolescent Discovered Deceased Following False Accusations of Taking Ashes
Relative's Picture
One 14-year-old youth was found dead only a few days after being falsely accused of taking the ashes of a deceased baby during a burglary, a coroner's inquiry has learned.
Tragic Finding
The young boy's parents found his body in his room at his Flintshire residence on November 19th, 2021.
False Accusations Begin
The inquest learned how his parent got a message on 8 November 2021 via social media, from a individual asking if Kai was her child. The message stated: "Tell him thanks for breaking into my flat."
In a statement read to the court, the mother said the individual had been in the media, claiming her baby's remains had been stolen in a break-in - a claim which was false.
Law Enforcement Investigation
An investigation report from police later concluded the supposed break-in complainant had "provided false information" and "evidence shows that said property was never taken in the beginning".
Media reports about the supposed taken remains attracted online responses, and although Kai was not named in the messages, his mother said people "understood it was him".
The "online posts were really distressing", she said.
Emotional Health Effect
She explained that Kai had been identified with moderate attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and as part of that condition, other peoples' opinions genuinely mattered to him.
"This must have hurt him deeply," she said, "especially when this was untrue".
Kai was arrested at his residence, but nothing was found. He was transported to a police station and later released under investigation.
Police said they would be in contact, the inquest learned, but had not contacted the family by the moment of his passing.
Isolation and Anxiety
His mother said her son "withdrew into himself" after the arrest and "repeatedly inquired me whether I had received anything from the authorities", because his ADHD meant sometimes "certain periods could feel like days".
When she talked to him about the supposed incident, she said her child informed her he had gone into the house because the resident who lived there had said he could utilize the bathroom whenever he needed, but refuted taking anything.
Digital Bullying
In a combined testimony between her and her husband, the mother said her child was being harassed digitally after the allegations.
The proceedings learned that a 19-year-old urged Kai 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 "compassionate, affectionate" boy, and said her "family is totally devastated".
He had been "obviously hiding his worries", she stated, adding that he could not stand to have anyone "have negative thoughts of him".
Educational Response
The hearing received testimony from educational personnel at the local secondary school.
On 8 November, she "overheard some boys talking that the student had been arrested and that was the first I heard".
"He told me... he'd was innocent," she added.
After the discussion, the educator said she rang the family's family landline and left a voicemail saying she had spoken to Kai about the accusations.
The proceedings learned his family said they did not got that communication.
Formal Conclusion
Senior coroner told the hearing he would await documents regarding what enhancements had been made to handling individuals with the condition, before determining whether he should make a avoidance of subsequent deaths report.
Delivering a narrative finding, he stated: "Approximately November 8th, 2021, unsupported accusations were made against Kai Benjamin Lloyd, a young individual.
"Probably falsehoods were subsequently embellished and exaggerated through the platform of online networks.
"On 11 November, he was questioned by the police and after his interview he was freed whilst inquiries proceeded."
The official determined: "There is no evidence that the actions or omissions of any agency led to or contributed to his death and although it was the result of a self-inflicted action it is impossible to discern his purpose."
