‘It would have hurt him deeply that people were saying he had stolen a baby’s ashes, especially when this wasn’t true’
Gareth Hughes and Alex Hickey
17:30, 29 Oct 2025Updated 17:42, 29 Oct 2025
Kai Lloyd, 14, was found dead at this home in Connah’s Quay(Image: Lisa Lloyd)
A teenager took his own life after being falsely accused of stealing the ashes of a dead baby. To his family and head of year at Connah’s Quay High School, Kai Lloyd seemed to be behaving normally after being arrested on December 11, 2021.
But eight days later he was found hanged in his bedroom by his father John at the family home in Dodds Drive, Connah’s Quay, an inquest heard today.
In a statement read at an inquest in Ruthin, his mother Lisa Lloyd said that on December 8 she received a text message from a Chloe Robinson asking if she was Kai’s mother.
Don’t miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here
Ms Robinson then stated: “Tell him thanks for burgling my flat.” News of the alleged burglary then spread on social media and the story appeared in the national press.
“Kai wasn’t mentioned in the articles but we live in a small community and people knew it was him,” she said.
Mrs Lloyd said that as the story spread Kai, who was diagnosed in 2016 with mild ADHD, was bullied at school and the online posts were really upsetting.
“I know they would have really upset Kai. He cared deeply about other people. He would never hurt anybody.”
Mrs Lloyd said he was adamant he had not 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.
Kai Lloyd was bullied at school as a result of the false allegation(Image: Lisa Lloyd)
“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 said Kai was well-liked and had “an infectious smile”.
She told the inquest she overheard some boys saying that Kai had been arrested and he told 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.
Breaking the news to fellow pupils at assembly “was one of the most difficult things I have ever had to do,” she said.
The current headteacher James Forber told the hearing that policies regarding disclosures had been introduced and roles and responsibilities had been clarified.
A smiling Kai Lloyd gives a thumbs up(Image: Lisa Lloyd)
John Gittins, senior coroner for North Wales East and Central, read a report from North Wales Police on the investigation into the alleged burglary, which stated: “It appears that the said property was not stolen.”
He recorded a narrative conclusion in which, referring to the “unsubstantiated allegations”, he said: “Likely falsehoods were subsequently embellished and exaggerated through the medium of social media.”
Kai, he said, had “exhibited no behavioural concerns to his family or his school and gave no indication of any intention to harm himself”.
He added: “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.”
Mental Health Support
Helplines and support groups
The NHS Choices website lists the following helplines and support networks for people to talk to:
Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org.Childline (0800 1111) runs a helpline for children and young people in the UK. Calls are free and the number won’t show up on your phone bill.PAPYRUS (0800 068 41 41) is an organisation supporting teenagers and young adults who are feeling suicidal.Mind Cymru (02920 395 123) is a charity providing advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.Students Against Depression is a website for students who are depressed, have a low mood or are having suicidal thoughts.Bullying UK is a website for both children and adults affected by bullying.CALL Mental Health Helpline for Wales (0800 132 737) provides a Wales-wide 24/7 mental health multi-channel contact service. CALL offers emotional support, signposting to agencies relevant to the caller’s needs as well as free literature.
The coroner said he would defer a decision whether to issue a Prevention of Future Deaths report to North Wales Police to learn what changes were being introduced in methods of dealing with people with ADHD.
Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice