Youth Found Deceased Following False Accusations of Taking Ashes

Relative's Picture
Kai Lloyd's mother and father found his remains in his bedroom in November 2021

A 14-year-old youth was found dead just days after being wrongly accused of stealing the ashes of a dead baby during a burglary, an inquest has heard.

Tragic Finding

Kai Lloyd's parents discovered his remains in his bedroom at his Connah's Quay home on 19 November 2021.

False Allegations Begin

The investigation heard how his parent got a message on 8 November 2021 via social media, from a woman inquiring if her son was her child. The message added: "Inform him appreciation for breaking into my flat."

In a statement read to the proceedings, the mother said the woman had been in the news, claiming her baby's remains had been stolen in a break-in - a allegation which was false.

Police Inquiry

An investigation report from police later concluded the alleged burglary victim had "provided false information" and "it now appears that said property was not stolen in the beginning".

Media reports about the alleged taken ashes attracted social media comments, and although Kai was not named in the posts, his parent said individuals "knew it was him".

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

Mental Wellbeing Impact

She added that her son had been identified with moderate ADHD, and as part of that disorder, other peoples' opinions genuinely mattered to him.

"This must have affected him severely," she said, "particularly when this was untrue".

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

Authorities said they would be in touch, the hearing heard, but had not reached out to the relatives by the time of his passing.

Isolation and Anxiety

His mother said Kai "became isolated" after the arrest and "repeatedly inquired me whether I had received anything from the police", because his condition meant sometimes "a minute could seem like much longer".

When she spoke to him about the supposed incident, she said her child informed her he had entered the residence because the resident who lived there had said he could utilize the toilet whenever he wanted, but refuted taking anything.

Digital Bullying

In a combined testimony between her and her husband, Mrs Lloyd said her son was being bullied digitally after the accusations.

The proceedings heard that a 19-year-old urged the teenager to kill himself.

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

She described him as a "caring, affectionate" boy, and said her "relatives is completely shattered".

He had been "clearly hiding his worries", she stated, adding that he could not bear to have anyone "think bad of him".

Educational Response

The hearing received testimony from educational personnel at Connah's Quay secondary school.

On November 8th, she "heard some students talking that the student had been detained and that was the first I learned".

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

After the conversation, the educator said she called the family's family landline and provided a message saying she had spoken to Kai about the allegations.

The court heard his family said they never got that communication.

Official Conclusion

Lead investigator told the hearing he would await documents regarding what improvements had been made to handling individuals with ADHD, before deciding whether he should make a prevention of subsequent deaths report.

Delivering a descriptive finding, he said: "Around 8 November 2021, unsupported accusations were made against the teenager, a 14-year-old child.

"Likely untruths were subsequently exaggerated and amplified through the medium of online networks.

"During 11 November, he was questioned by the authorities and following his interview he was released whilst investigations proceeded."

The official concluded: "Exists no proof that the actions or omissions of any organization led to or contributed to his death and although it was the outcome of a personal action it is impossible to discern his intent."

Terry Spence
Terry Spence

A seasoned IT consultant with over 10 years of experience in software architecture and digital transformation.