Inquest Concludes Teenager Drowned After Prank Push into River

Overview

• Christopher Kapessa, a 13-year-old boy, drowned in 2019 after being pushed into the River Cynon in South Wales by another teenager, Jayden Pugh, during a prank.
• The Crown Prosecution Service decided not to pursue Mr. Pugh, a decision upheld by the High Court, citing it was not in the public interest.
• Christopher's mother, Alina Joseph, accused South Wales Police of institutional racism and criticized their handling of the case.
• The Independent Office for Police Conduct found shortcomings in the way police communicated with Christopher's family, but found no evidence to justify disciplinary proceedings against individual officers.
• Assistant Coroner David Regan concluded that Christopher drowned after being pushed into the river by Mr. Pugh during a dangerous prank, and not with any malicious intention.