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Personal Snapshot

A teenage youth was found dead just days after being falsely accused of stealing the ashes of a dead infant during a burglary, a coroner's inquiry has learned.

Heartbreaking Finding

The young boy's parents discovered his body in his bedroom at his Connah's Quay residence on November 19th, 2021.

Untrue Accusations Start

The inquest heard how his parent got a message on November 8th, 2021 via social media, from a individual asking if her son was her offspring. The communication stated: "Inform him appreciation for burgling my apartment."

In a testimony presented to the proceedings, Lisa Lloyd said the individual had been in the news, claiming her infant's remains had been stolen in a burglary - a allegation which was false.

Police Investigation

An investigation report from authorities later determined the alleged break-in complainant had "lied to police" and "it now appears that the items was not stolen in the first place".

Media reports about the supposed taken remains attracted online responses, and although Kai was not named in the messages, his parent said individuals "understood it was him".

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

Emotional Wellbeing Effect

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

"It would have affected him severely," she said, "especially when this was not true".

The teenager was detained at home, but nothing was found. He was taken to a police station and later released pending further inquiry.

Police said they would be in contact, the hearing learned, but had failed to reached out to the relatives by the time of his death.

Isolation and Worry

His mother said Kai "became isolated" after the arrest and "would keep asking me whether I had heard anything from the authorities", because his ADHD meant sometimes "a minute could feel like much longer".

When she talked to him about the supposed burglary, she said her child told her he had gone into the residence because the woman who lived there had said he could use the toilet anytime he wanted, but refuted removing anything.

Digital Harassment

In a joint statement between her and her spouse, the mother said her child was being bullied online after the allegations.

The proceedings learned that a young adult encouraged Kai to end his life.

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

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

He had been "obviously concealing his worries", she said, adding that he could not bear to have anyone "have negative thoughts of him".

Educational Response

The inquest heard from school staff at Connah's Quay secondary school.

On 8 November, she "overheard some students talking that Kai had been arrested and that was the initial I heard".

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

After the conversation, the staff member said she called the family's parents' landline and left a voicemail saying she had communicated to Kai about the accusations.

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

Official Finding

Senior investigator told the inquest he would await reports regarding what enhancements had been made to handling individuals with ADHD, before determining whether he should make a prevention of future deaths report.

Providing a narrative conclusion, he stated: "Approximately November 8th, 2021, unsupported accusations were made against the teenager, a young child.

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

"During November 11th, he was questioned by the authorities and following his questioning he was freed whilst investigations continued."

The coroner concluded: "Exists no evidence that the actions or omissions of any agency led to or added to his passing and although it was the result of a personal act it is impossible to discern his intent."