More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
The death of boxing-mad teenager could have been a practical joke gone wrong, an inquest heard.
Liam Evans, 14, was found unconscious next to his bunkbed at his home in Churchill Avenue in Deal on December 11 last year.
He died of neck injuries in hospital the next day.
Today at his inquest at County Hall in Maidstone, area coroner Katrina Hepburn says she found no reason why the 14-year-old would have wanted to take his own life.
Returning a conclusion of misadventure, she said she did not know if it was "a practical joke for a family member or if he was just trying to do something for his own reasons, but it did go wrong".
She called it a "tragic, tragic accident" and apologised to the his family for not being able to provide more answers.
In a statement his dad Mark and step-mum Tiffany Evans said: "We would just like to say that we agree with verdict of misadventure.
"We've never believed Liam would have done it on purpose. We love and miss our beautiful boy everyday."
Liam, a pupil at Goodwin Academy in Deal, had been boxing at KMD Boxing Club in Dover on the evening of Wednesday, December 11.
He had weighed in 1.5kilos over what he needed to be for an upcoming fight but left the club sharing banter with his trainers.
His dad, Mark, had transported him home where they had hotdogs for dinner.
Liam then went to his bedroom alone while Mark and younger brother Robbie-Paul, 10, watched football and other family members spent time in their bedrooms.
Mr Evans had heard some noise coming from the bedroom - in addition to Liam playing his guitar - but had thought it was his son training.
He had texted him asking him to keep the noise down but had no response.
In a report read out at the hearing, he said: "I thought he was exercising, doing some burpees or something, to get a bit of weight off for his fight."
It was at half time during the match that his brother went to tell him the score that Liam was found unconscious.
Mr Evans immediately performed CPR and phoned for an ambulance.
Paramedics arrived within 11 minutes and Liam was transported to William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.
A heartbeat was regained but Liam was considered too unstable to be transferred to Evelina London Children's Hospital and withdrawal of treatment was agreed the following day.
Detective Sergeant Julian Kyte produced a nine-page report into the incident which found no reason why Liam would have chosen to take his life.
He told the hearing that Liam's school life was "okay with a good circle of friends".
He had recently moved boxing clubs from Sandwich but this was a "positive move" for his own progression.
His family said he had "didn't have much of a filter" and would therefore voice his concerns if had them.
DS Kyte said: "The only issue that was raised was around Liam's weight. This sometimes caused him to become anxious.
"When he left the club that day he had good banter with the trainers there and there were no worries."
No note was found and there was no evidence on his personal phone, internet searches, Xbox or PlayStation devices that caused concern.
Ms Hepburn said: "Liam was, himself, a happy, young boy. He is described in the statement that he was happy, compassionate and sensitive.
"He loved animals and was also sporty."
The youngster had waited until he was 10 years old - the minimum age - to join Sandwich Amateur Boxing Club and loved being in the ring.
He had earned himself an impressive medal and trophy collection having competed in 13 bouts, winning two, and was also named Kent Schoolboy Championship runner-up in April.
Addressing his family, Ms Hepburn said: “I offer my sincere condolences for this tragic loss in one so young, and in particular in a case where I cannot offer you an explanation for what happened.
"I offer my sincere condolences for this tragic loss in one so young..."
“I am sorry I can’t answer the questions that I am sure you go away still having.”
Liam's death, two weeks before Christmas, shook the community not least Sandwich Amateur Boxing Club who said their club would never be the same again.
They referred to him as "Sandwich's little Rocky" who was "always smiling, always positive and polite."
