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Personal Snapshot

A teenage boy was discovered deceased just days following being falsely accused of taking the ashes of a dead baby during a burglary, a coroner's inquiry has heard.

Heartbreaking Finding

Kai Lloyd's parents found his body in his room at his Connah's Quay home on November 19th, 2021.

False Accusations Start

The inquest learned how his parent received a communication on 8 November 2021 via social media, from a woman asking if her son was her child. The message added: "Inform him appreciation for burgling my flat."

In a testimony presented to the court, Lisa Lloyd said the woman had been in the media, asserting her baby's ashes had been taken in a break-in - a claim which was untrue.

Police Investigation

An investigation report from police later determined the alleged break-in victim had "lied to police" and "it now appears that said property was not taken in the first place".

News coverage about the alleged stolen remains generated social media responses, and although Kai was not named in the messages, his parent said people "knew it was him".

The "social media content were extremely distressing", she said.

Emotional Health Effect

She added that Kai had been diagnosed with moderate ADHD, and as part of that condition, other peoples' opinions really were important to him.

"This must have hurt him deeply," she said, "especially when this was not true".

Kai was arrested at home, but nothing was found. He was taken to a police station and later freed pending further inquiry.

Authorities said they would be in contact, the hearing learned, but had not contacted the family by the time of his passing.

Isolation and Worry

His mother 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 days".

When she talked to him about the alleged incident, she said her son informed her he had entered the residence because the resident who resided there had said he could use the bathroom anytime he needed, but refuted removing anything.

Digital Bullying

In a joint statement between her and her spouse, Mrs Lloyd said her son was being harassed online after the accusations.

The proceedings learned that one young adult encouraged the teenager to kill himself.

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

She described him as a "caring, loving" boy, and said her "family is completely devastated".

He had been "clearly hiding his worries", she said, noting that he could not bear to have anybody "have negative thoughts of him".

Educational Response

The inquest received testimony from school staff at the local High School.

On 8 November, she "heard some students discussing that Kai had been arrested and that was the first I heard".

"He told me... he'd done nothing wrong," she added.

After the conversation, the staff member said she rang the family's family telephone and left a voicemail saying she had spoken to the student about the allegations.

The proceedings learned his family said they did not receive that communication.

Formal Conclusion

Lead investigator told the hearing he would await documents regarding what enhancements had been made to dealing with suspects with the condition, before determining whether he should make a prevention of future deaths report.

Delivering a narrative conclusion, he stated: "Around 8 November 2021, unsupported accusations were made against the teenager, a 14-year-old child.

"Likely falsehoods were afterwards embellished and amplified through the medium of online networks.

"During November 11th, he was interviewed by the authorities and after his interview he was released while investigations continued."

The official determined: "Exists no evidence that the actions or failures of any organization led to or added to his passing and although it was the result of a personal act it is impossible to determine his intent."