🔗 Share this article

Family Photo

One 14-year-old boy was discovered deceased just days following being falsely blamed of stealing the ashes of a deceased infant during a break-in, an inquest has heard.

Heartbreaking Discovery

Kai Lloyd's mother and father discovered his body in his bedroom at his Flintshire residence on 19 November 2021.

Untrue Accusations Start

The inquest learned how his parent received a message on November 8th, 2021 via social media, from a individual asking if Kai was her child. The message stated: "Tell him thanks for breaking into my apartment."

In a testimony presented to the court, the mother said the individual had been in the media, claiming her infant's ashes had been taken in a break-in - a claim which was untrue.

Police Investigation

An investigation report from police later determined the alleged burglary victim had "lied to police" and "evidence shows that said items was never taken in the first place".

News coverage about the alleged taken remains attracted online responses, and although Kai was not named in the messages, his mother said individuals "understood it was him".

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

Emotional Wellbeing Impact

She added that Kai had been identified with mild ADHD, and as part of that condition, other individuals' views really were important to him.

"This must have affected him severely," she said, "particularly when this was not true".

The teenager was arrested at home, but nothing was found. He was taken to a law enforcement facility and later released pending further inquiry.

Authorities said they would be in contact, the hearing learned, but had not reached out to the family by the moment of his passing.

Isolation and Anxiety

His parent said Kai "became isolated" after the detention and "would keep asking me whether I had heard anything from the police", because his condition meant sometimes "a minute could seem like much longer".

When she talked to him about the alleged burglary, she said her child informed her he had gone into the house because the resident who resided there had said he could utilize the bathroom anytime he needed, but denied taking anything.

Online Harassment

In a combined testimony between her and her husband, Mrs Lloyd said her child was being harassed digitally after the allegations.

The inquest heard that one young adult urged Kai to end his life.

She had no concerns on the evening before he died, explaining how she had listened to him "laughing and teasing".

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

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

School Response

The hearing received testimony from educational personnel at the local High School.

On November 8th, she "overheard some boys discussing that Kai had been arrested and that was the first I heard".

"He told me... he'd was innocent," she continued.

After the discussion, the staff member said she called the family's family landline and provided a message saying she had communicated to Kai about the allegations.

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

Official Finding

Lead coroner told the inquest he would await documents regarding what enhancements had been made to dealing with individuals with the condition, before deciding whether he should make a avoidance of subsequent fatalities report.

Providing a descriptive finding, he said: "Approximately November 8th, 2021, unsupported accusations were made against the teenager, a young child.

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

"On November 11th, he was questioned by the authorities and after his interview he was released whilst inquiries proceeded."

The coroner concluded: "Exists no proof that the actions or failures of any agency led to or added to his passing and although it was the outcome of a personal act it is not possible to determine his intent."