BOY’S DEATH POSSIBLY ‘VIOLENT’
INQUEST TOLD DEATH MAY HAVE BEEN ‘UNNATURAL’
THE DEATH of a five-year-old boy whose body was found in a river may have been “violent or unnatural”, an inquest has heard.
Logan Mwangi’s body was found in the Ogmore River, near Pandy Park in Bridgend, on Saturday, July 31.
It was later discovered he had sustained multiple injuries including a torn liver, an internal head injury, and a broken collarbone.
Logan’s stepfather, John Cole, 39, has been charged with murder, while both he and Logan’s mother, Angharad Williamson, 30, have been charged with perverting the course of justice.
An inquest opening at Pontypridd Coroners’ Court on Wednesday, September 1, heard Logan was “found deceased” in a river near his home address and the alarm was raised by his parents, who reported him missing.
Senior coroner officer Lauren Howitt said Logan was formally identified by his grandmother, Claire Williamson.
A post-mortem examination was carried out on August 2. but the finding of a provisional cause of death is pending further investigation.
Assistant coroner Rachel Knight said: “I am satisfied it’s necessary to open an inquest as there is reason to expect his death may be violent or unnatural.
“I have seen correspondence from the CPS [Crown Prosecution Service] in this case which says people have appeared in criminal courts and a trial date has been set.”
Ms Knight adjourned the inquest until the conclusion of the criminal case. She expressed her condolences to Logan’s family.
Cole, of Maesglas, Ynysawdre, Bridgend, and Williamson, of Lower Llansantffraid, Sarn, Bridgend, appeared at Newport Crown Court on August 14.
A third defendant, a youth who cannot be named for legal reasons, also appeared, having been charged with perverting the course of justice. The two adult defendants were remanded in custody and the youth defendant was remanded in the care of the local authority.
A provisional trial date has been set for January 31, 2022, and is estimated to last four weeks.