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Heartbroken mum decorates son’s grave with Halloween decorations in tribute to 13-year-old from Herne Bay

By: Liane Castle lcastle@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 05:00, 25 October 2024

Updated: 11:37, 25 October 2024

A heartbroken mum has decorated her son’s grave with pumpkins, flowers and spiderwebs to remember her “blue-eyed boy” at his favourite time of year.

Naomi Jarnell says she made sure the items placed in tribute to Canterbury Academy pupil Nicky Lowther at Herne Cemetery remained tasteful and she has had no complaints from other mourners.

Naomi Jarnell has decorated her son Nicky Lowther's grave in Herne Cemetery in tribute to the 13-year-old’s love for Halloween. Picture: Naomi Jarnell

She told KentOnline how the 13-year-old - who is suspected to have inhaled deodorant before his tragic death on June 27 - would spend weeks planning his costumes and loved trick-or-treating with his siblings.

With his family preparing for their first Halloween without him, Ms Jarnell decorated Nicky’s grave on October 4.

She said: “I’m still finding it completely surreal.

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“Halloween was his favourite time of year because for him it was the start of the countdown to Christmas.

“He was a huge fan of Tim Burton movies and anything dark and surreal, just like his humour really.

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Mum Naomi Jarnell with her son Nicky Lowther, from Canterbury

“He never missed going out trick or treating, no matter the weather, and would plan his costume weeks in advance, with some of his choices being ‘extreme’ to say the least.

“After coming back from ‘grafting in the cold’ he would have this huge grin on his face, tipping out all of his goodies that he had collected that night on the floor to compare with his brother and sister.”

She said she has received lots of positive comments, adding: “I made sure none of the decorations have been in bad taste for obvious reasons.”

The Halloween theme will remain in place until November 1 when Ms Jarnell will switch to Christmas decorations which will include Nicky’s very own tree.

The 13-year-old was laid to rest after a service at Herne Bay crematorium in July.

A petition has been set up to introduce age restrictions on aerosols in memory of Nicky Lowther

A horse and carriage took him along the seafront in Herne Bay, the town where he grew up, for his final journey before friends and family said their farewells.

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Ms Jarnell previously described Nicky as her “blue-eyed boy” who was very popular at school and never afraid to speak his mind.

Nicky’s father Nick Lowther previously said his son was a happy child who was “adventurous” and also very “cheeky”.

Ms Jarnell found Nicky unresponsive at home in Canterbury and attempted CPR to revive him. But tragically he could not be saved.

Following the tragedy, Nicky’s aunt Toni Lowther started a petition prompting calls for age restrictions to be introduced on aerosols such as deodorants.

Nick Lowther described his son Nicky as “adventurous” and very “cheeky”

Initially unaware of the risks they posed, Miss Lowther was shocked to find out they were potentially so deadly yet easily accessible to young people.

In the UK, aerosols that contain solvents such as spray paints cannot be bought by anyone under the age of 16, but there are no restrictions on deodorants.

To view the petition, click here.

So far it has been signed by more than 5,305 people.

An inquest into Nicky’s death will be held next week.

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