Source · Prevention of Future Deaths
Cai Davies
Ref: 2026-0391
Date: 28 Jul 2026
Coroner: Rachel Knight
Area: South Wales Central
56-day deadline: 22 Sep 2026 (stated in the report)
Responses identified: 0 of 4
0 responses identified · 4 indexed addressees
Response deadline: 22 September 2026 (stated in the report).
Coroner's concerns
Coroner’s Concerns (source excerpt)
A lack of awareness and education amongst the general public, both young and old around unsolicited social media approaches, and the danger of sextortion scamming, which may lead to further deaths.
View full coroner's concerns
A lack of awareness and education amongst the general public, both young and old around unsolicited social media approaches, and the danger of sextortion scamming, which may lead to further deaths.
Report sections
Investigation and inquest
On 11/06/2025 I commenced an investigation into the death of Cai Rhys Davies. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on . The medical cause of death was: 1a Hypoxic brain injury 1b Asphyxiation
The circumstances were :-
Cai Rhys Davies was aged 18 when on 30th May 2025 he constructed a ligature [READCTED], and was found hanging. He was resuscitated and taken to hospital, but sadly he went on to die on 3rd June 2025. Cai had a traumatic childhood and suffered with poor mental health and ADHD, and was known to engage in substance misuse. It is more likely than not that personal stress in his life together with his becoming the victim of a sextortion scam in the days before his death, more than minimally contributed to his decision to take his own life.
Conclusion: Suicide
The circumstances were :-
Cai Rhys Davies was aged 18 when on 30th May 2025 he constructed a ligature [READCTED], and was found hanging. He was resuscitated and taken to hospital, but sadly he went on to die on 3rd June 2025. Cai had a traumatic childhood and suffered with poor mental health and ADHD, and was known to engage in substance misuse. It is more likely than not that personal stress in his life together with his becoming the victim of a sextortion scam in the days before his death, more than minimally contributed to his decision to take his own life.
Conclusion: Suicide
Circumstances of the death
In this case, Cai, a vulnerable young man, was approached via a message request directly from a stranger (scammer) posing to be a young lady of around his age. Conversation quickly turned sexual and she asked him for intimate images which were then used to blackmail him for money, by threatening to send the images to his family and friends and to upload them to a YouTube channel. The images were indeed sent to at least 1 of Cai’s Facebook friends by the scammer. Cai was bombarded with video calls and messages via Facebook messenger and Whatsapp over a very short period of time making demands for money.
Copies sent to
- I can confirm I have sent the report to: [please do not use individual’s names, but instead roles/titles]
- 1. Minister for the Department for Education (Westminster)
- 2. Minister for the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (Westminster)
- 3. Minister for the Department for Education (Wales)
- 4. Minister for Culture & Sport (Wales)
Similar PFD reports Shared signals
Responses identified
4 responses not yet linked
Organisations named in PFD reports are normally expected to respond within 56 days. Deadline: 22 Sep 2026 (stated in the report).
Sent to
- Department for Education
- Department for Education (Wales)
- Department of Culture, Media & Sport
- Department of Culture, Media & Sport (Wales)
Source links
Data: judiciary.uk.