Kai Lloyd, 15, was found dead at his home in Flintshire, North Wales, after being accused of stealing a baby’s ashes – his mother said the claims were ‘completely untrue’
A teenager has taken his own life after being bullied when a false accusation that he stole the ashes of a dead baby spread.
Kai Lloyd, 14, was discovered dead by hanging in his bedroom by his father on December 19, 2021, in Wales, an inquest heard today (October 29). The teenager seemed to be behaving normally to his family and head of year at Connah’s Quay High School after being arrested on eight days previously on December 11.
In a statement read at an inquest in Ruthin, Wales, Kai’s mum Lisa Lloyd revealed that on December 8 she received a text message from a Chloe Robinson asking if she was Kai’s mother. Ms Robinson then declared: “Tell him thanks for burgling my flat.” The alleged burglary quickly spread on social media and made national headlines.
“Kai wasn’t mentioned in the articles but we live in a small community and people knew it was him,” Ms Robinson added.
Mrs Lloyd explained that as the story spread, Kai, who was diagnosed with mild ADHD in 2016, was subjected to bullying at school and the online posts were deeply distressing.
“I know they would have really upset Kai. He cared deeply about other people. He would never hurt anybody.”
Mrs Lloyd insisted he was adamant he hadn’t taken anything from the house and she contacted the police to try to clear things up, but heard nothing from them in the eight days before his death.
“It would have hurt him deeply that people were saying he had stolen a baby’s ashes, especially when this wasn’t true,” she said.
The school’s pastoral co-ordinator and his head of year Sue Messham described Kai as well-liked and having “an infectious smile”.
She told the inquest she overheard some lads saying that Kai had been arrested and he assured her he had done nothing wrong.
“I tried to reassure him that he needed to let the police investigate and the truth would come out,” she said. Announcing the tragic news to her students during assembly was “was one of the most difficult things I have ever had to do,” she confessed.
The current headteacher, James Forber, informed the hearing that policies regarding disclosures have been implemented and roles and responsibilities have been clarified.
John Gittins, the senior coroner for North Wales East and Central, read out a report from North Wales Police concerning the alleged burglary investigation, which stated: “It appears that the said property was not stolen.”
He delivered a narrative verdict, referring to the “unsubstantiated allegations”, he noted: “Likely falsehoods were subsequently embellished and exaggerated through the medium of social media.”
Kai, he mentioned, had “exhibited no behavioural concerns to his family or his school and gave no indication of any intention to harm himself”.
He concluded: “There is no evidence that the acts or omissions of any agency caused or contributed to his death, and although it was the result of a self-inflicted act it is not possible to discern his intent.”
For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website
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