Coroner says Nantwich teenager Jonty’s death remains “mystery”

The mother of tragic Nantwich teenager Jonty Evans has vowed to “fight on” after a coroner ruled it may never be known how he came to be found dead in the River Weaver.

Jonty, 16, from Baddington, was discovered in the river close to a footbridge on Mill Island last September, after being reported missing the previous day.

Cheshire Coroner Victoria Davies today recorded a narrative verdict, declaring that Jonty died from the effects of immersion in water but that anyone else being involved could not be ruled out.

It comes after a two-day hearing in Warrington which heard evidence from police, a pathologist, and Jonty’s mum, Martina Cliffe.

Reacting to the verdict, a disappointed Ms Cliffe told Nantwich News: “There is nothing I can do, but I will keep on fighting.”

Ms Cliffe believes other people were involved in Jonty’s death, and fears he was being framed over “drugs” matters.

She aired those concerns exclusively to Nantwich News earlier this year.

She believes she can hear his voice and screams for help on CCTV footage from a building near to Mill Island.

However, the coroner said she could not hear it because the footage is “largely inaudible”.

Home Office pathologist Dr Matthew Lyall examined Jonty’s body and found minor grazes and bruises on his skin as well as unusual bruising to muscles at the front of the neck.

In his report, Dr Lyall said the likely cause of death was the “effects of immersion” which could include drowning or the impact of cold water.

Cheshire Police Det Sgt Emily Cole said the force was unable to rule in or rule out third-party involvement due to a lack of evidence.

Det Sgt Cole told the court they had followed up on local “rumours” about the involvement of others, speaking to more than 180 people and reviewing 420 hours of CCTV footage.

Several witness appeals by police had failed to identify anybody else in the park at a similar time.

Coroner Ms Davies said it was possible Jonty had fallen into the river by accident while trying to wash tar off his clothes after he’d climbed onto a lorry earlier.

In concluding, she said evidence weighted in favour of it being an accident.

She added: “Sadly, I think we are never going to be able to establish the true circumstances as to how Jonty came to be in the water.”