Adolescent Discovered Deceased After Untrue Accusations of Taking Cremated Remains

Personal Snapshot
The teenager's parents discovered his body in his room in November 2021

A 14-year-old youth was discovered deceased just days after being wrongly blamed of taking the cremated remains of a deceased baby during a burglary, a coroner's inquiry has learned.

Tragic Finding

Kai Lloyd's parents discovered his body in his bedroom at his Flintshire home on 19 November 2021.

Untrue Accusations Begin

The inquest heard how his mother got a communication on November 8th, 2021 via online platforms, from a woman inquiring if her son was her offspring. The communication stated: "Inform him appreciation for burgling my apartment."

In a statement read to the proceedings, Lisa Lloyd 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.

Police Inquiry

An investigation report from authorities later concluded the supposed burglary victim had "lied to police" and "it now appears that the items was never taken in the first place".

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

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

Emotional Health Effect

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

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

Kai was detained at home, but nothing was discovered. He was transported to a police station and later released pending further inquiry.

Police said they would be in touch, the inquest learned, but had failed to contacted the relatives by the time of his death.

Withdrawal and Anxiety

His mother said Kai "withdrew into himself" after the arrest and "would keep asking me whether I had heard anything from the police", because his ADHD meant sometimes "certain periods could feel like days".

When she talked to him about the supposed incident, she said her son informed her he had entered the residence because the woman who lived there had said he could utilize the bathroom anytime he wanted, but refuted taking anything.

Online Bullying

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

The inquest learned that a young adult encouraged Kai to kill himself.

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

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

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

Educational Reaction

The hearing received testimony from school staff at Connah's Quay High School.

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

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

After the conversation, the educator said she called Kai's parents' landline and left a voicemail saying she had communicated to the student about the allegations.

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

Official Conclusion

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

Delivering a narrative finding, he stated: "Around 8 November 2021, unsubstantiated allegations were made against Kai Benjamin Lloyd, a 14-year-old child.

"Probably falsehoods were subsequently embellished and amplified through the medium of social media.

"On November 11th, he was questioned by the police and after his interview he was freed whilst investigations proceeded."

The coroner concluded: "Exists no evidence that the acts or omissions of any organization led to or added to his passing and although it was the outcome of a personal act it is impossible to determine his purpose."

Stephanie Gay
Stephanie Gay

A passionate software engineer with over a decade of experience in front-end development and a love for sharing knowledge through writing.