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A 14-year-old youth was discovered deceased only a few days following being falsely blamed of stealing the cremated remains of a deceased infant during a break-in, a coroner's inquiry has heard.

Tragic Finding

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

Untrue Allegations Begin

The inquest learned how his mother got a communication on November 8th, 2021 via social media, from a individual inquiring if Kai was her child. The message added: "Inform him thanks for burgling my flat."

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

Law Enforcement Investigation

An investigation report from police later concluded the alleged burglary victim had "provided false information" and "evidence shows that said property was never taken in the beginning".

Media reports about the alleged stolen ashes generated social media comments, and although the teenager was not named in the messages, his parent said individuals "understood it was him".

The "online posts were really upsetting", she stated.

Emotional Health Effect

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

"It would have affected him severely," she commented, "particularly when this was untrue".

Kai was arrested at home, but no evidence was found. He was taken to a law enforcement facility and later freed under investigation.

Police said they would be in contact, the hearing heard, but had not reached out to the family by the moment of his death.

Withdrawal and Worry

His mother said Kai "became isolated" after the detention and "repeatedly inquired me whether I had heard anything from the authorities", because his ADHD meant sometimes "certain periods could seem like days".

When she spoke to him about the alleged incident, she said her son informed her he had entered the house because the woman who resided there had said he could use the toilet whenever he wanted, but refuted taking anything.

Digital Harassment

In a combined testimony between her and her spouse, the mother said her son was being harassed online after the allegations.

The inquest learned that one 19-year-old encouraged the teenager to kill himself.

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

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

He had been "clearly hiding his concerns", she said, noting that he could not bear to have anybody "think bad of him".

School Response

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

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

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

After the conversation, the staff member said she called the family's parents' telephone and left a message saying she had spoken to Kai about the accusations.

The court heard his parents said they never receive that communication.

Official Finding

Senior investigator informed the inquest he would await reports regarding what improvements had been made to dealing with suspects with the condition, before determining whether he should make a prevention of subsequent fatalities report.

Providing a descriptive conclusion, he said: "Approximately November 8th, 2021, unsubstantiated accusations were made against the teenager, a 14-year-old individual.

"Likely falsehoods were afterwards embellished and amplified through the medium of online networks.

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

The coroner determined: "Exists no evidence that the actions or omissions of any organization caused or added to his death and although it was the result of a self-inflicted act it is not possible to determine his intent."