‘Distressed’ man found dead in wood
A“DISTRESSED” 20-year-old was found hanged in woodland after taking alcohol and cocaine, an inquest heard.
Connor Boggon, from Merthyr Tydfil, was found dead on Monday, February 24, during a search by a family friend after being reported missing.
An inquest at Pontypridd Coroners’ Court yesterdas heard Mr Boggon had no history of mental health issues but had drunk a “significant quantity” of alcohol and had taken cocaine before his death.
The inquest heard evidence from Mr Boggon’s mother Andrea Boggon. She told the inquest the pair had been shopping together in Merthyr Tydfil on February 22 when her son “seemed fine” and “happy”.
Later that evening friend Samuel Phillips told the inquest he and Mr Boggon attended a gathering at a flat in Brecon Road with friends.
At around 4.25am on February 23 Ms Boggon had a call from her son asking for a lift. She told him she was still in work and to call a taxi.
Mr Phillips told the inquest Mr Boggon left the house at around 6am. He said: “At around 6am he said he was going to leave. He just got up and walked out and was on his own. When he left he seemed fine.”
Just before 7am Mr Boggon’s mother had another missed call. She said “he was crying” and she “couldn’t get any sense out of him”.
Then 15 minutes later she received a text saying: “If I just go mam there are no problems about me no more. It’s for the best. Love you all.”
Three minutes later his stepfather Lee called and Connor answered crying and sounded “panicked” before the call suddenly ended. The couple decided to call South Wales Police and reported him missing.
The following day a number of people decided to join the search to find Mr Boggon. A friend of his sister, Emily Hewitt, decided to help in the effort with three friends.
They headed into the woodland behind Cyfartha Park at around 3.45pm and after around 20 minutes Ms Hewitt said they found a body.
She said: “We walked slowly over to the person and we were shouting ‘hello’ but there was no reply. As I got closer I realised they weren’t moving.”
Police were called to the scene and it was later confirmed the body was that of missing Mr Boggon.
A post-mortem examination found Mr Boggon’s cause of death was hanging. A toxicology report also found alcohol, at almost twice the drink-drive limit, and cocaine in his system.
Coroner Graeme Hughes recorded a narrative conclusion at the hearing yesterday.
Mr Hughes said: “He was known to be in a distressed state in the hours before he died. Toxicology tests showed he had taken a significant quantity of alcohol as well as cocaine before he died. He was found hanging from a tree.”
He added: “Connor Boggon died of his own hand. However he had taken intoxicants and had no known history of mental health issues. Evidence is unclear as to his intention.”
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