Adolescent Found Dead Following Untrue Allegations of Stealing Ashes

Relative's Picture
Kai Lloyd's parents discovered his remains in his room in late 2021

One teenage boy was found dead only a few days after being falsely blamed of stealing the cremated remains of a deceased infant during a break-in, an inquest has heard.

Tragic Discovery

The young boy's mother and father found his body in his bedroom at his Connah's Quay home on 19 November 2021.

Untrue Allegations Begin

The inquest heard how his mother received a communication on November 8th, 2021 via social media, from a woman inquiring if Kai was her child. The communication added: "Tell him appreciation for burgling my flat."

In a testimony presented to the proceedings, the mother said the woman had been in the media, asserting her baby's ashes had been stolen in a break-in - a allegation which was false.

Law Enforcement Inquiry

An investigation report from authorities later concluded the supposed break-in victim had "lied to police" and "it now appears that the property was never stolen in the first place".

News coverage about the supposed taken ashes generated social media responses, and although the teenager was not identified in the posts, his mother said people "knew it was him".

The "online posts were extremely distressing", she stated.

Mental Wellbeing Effect

She added that Kai had been identified with moderate attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and as part of that disorder, other individuals' opinions really mattered to him.

"It would have hurt him deeply," she commented, "especially when this was not true".

The teenager was arrested at his residence, but no evidence was discovered. He was transported to a law enforcement facility and later freed pending further inquiry.

Police said they would be in contact, the inquest learned, but had not reached out to the family by the moment of his death.

Withdrawal and Anxiety

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

When she spoke to him about the alleged incident, she said her son told her he had entered the house because the woman who lived there had said he could utilize the bathroom anytime he needed, but refuted taking anything.

Digital Bullying

In a joint statement between her and her husband, Mrs Lloyd said her child was being harassed digitally after the accusations.

The proceedings heard that one young adult urged the teenager to kill himself.

She had no worries on the evening before he died, describing how she had heard him "chuckling and teasing".

She described him as a "caring, affectionate" young man, and said her "family is completely devastated".

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

Educational Reaction

The hearing heard from school personnel at Connah's Quay High School.

On November 8th, she "heard some students discussing that the student had been detained 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 called Kai's parents' landline and provided a voicemail saying she had spoken to the student about the accusations.

The proceedings heard his family said they did not got that communication.

Official Conclusion

Senior investigator told the hearing he would wait for reports regarding what enhancements had been made to dealing with individuals with the condition, before determining whether he should make a avoidance of future fatalities report.

Providing a narrative conclusion, he said: "Approximately November 8th, 2021, unsubstantiated accusations were made against the teenager, a young individual.

"Likely untruths were afterwards embellished and amplified through the platform of social media.

"During 11 November, he was questioned by the police and after his questioning he was released while inquiries proceeded."

The coroner determined: "Exists no evidence that the acts or failures of any agency caused or contributed to his passing and although it was the outcome of a personal action it is impossible to determine his intent."

Sheila Collins
Sheila Collins

A passionate life coach and writer dedicated to helping others overcome obstacles and thrive in their personal and professional lives.

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