🔗 Share this article

Family Photo

A 14-year-old boy was discovered deceased just days following being falsely blamed of taking the ashes of a dead baby during a break-in, an inquest has heard.

Tragic Finding

Kai Lloyd's parents found his remains in his room at his Connah's Quay residence on 19 November 2021.

Untrue Allegations Start

The inquest learned 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: "Tell him thanks for breaking into my apartment."

In a testimony presented to the court, Lisa Lloyd said the woman had been in the media, claiming her infant's ashes had been taken in a burglary - a allegation which was false.

Law Enforcement Investigation

An investigation report from authorities later concluded the supposed break-in victim had "provided false information" and "it now appears that said items was not stolen in the beginning".

News coverage about the alleged taken ashes generated online responses, and although the teenager was not identified in the messages, his parent said people "understood it was him".

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

Emotional Wellbeing Impact

She explained that Kai had been diagnosed with mild ADHD, and as part of that disorder, other individuals' views genuinely were important to him.

"It would have affected him severely," she said, "especially when this was untrue".

The teenager was arrested at home, but no evidence was found. He was taken to a police station and later released under investigation.

Authorities said they would be in contact, the inquest learned, but had not contacted the relatives by the time of his death.

Withdrawal and Anxiety

His parent said Kai "withdrew into himself" after the detention and "repeatedly inquired me whether I had received anything from the police", because his condition meant sometimes "a minute could feel like much longer".

When she spoke to him about the supposed burglary, she said her child told her he had gone into the residence because the woman who resided there had said he could utilize the toilet whenever he wanted, but refuted removing anything.

Digital Bullying

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

The inquest learned that one 19-year-old urged the teenager to end his life.

She had no worries on the evening before he passed away, describing how she had listened to him "laughing and teasing".

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

He had been "clearly hiding his concerns", she stated, noting that he could not stand to have anyone "have negative thoughts of him".

School Reaction

The hearing heard from educational personnel at the local 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 added.

After the conversation, the educator said she rang Kai's family telephone and left a message saying she had spoken to Kai about the accusations.

The proceedings heard his parents said they did not receive that communication.

Official Finding

Lead coroner informed the inquest he would wait for reports regarding what improvements had been made to handling suspects with the condition, before determining whether he should make a prevention of subsequent deaths report.

Providing a narrative finding, he stated: "Around November 8th, 2021, unsupported accusations were made against Kai Benjamin Lloyd, a young individual.

"Likely falsehoods were afterwards exaggerated and exaggerated through the platform of social media.

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

The coroner determined: "Exists no proof that the actions or failures of any agency led to or added to his death and although it was the result of a self-inflicted act it is impossible to determine his intent."