Following an investigation, a coroner ruled that a young boy accidentally passed away hours after sharing a troubling image related to the popular series Squid Game.
The boy, identified as Sebastian Cizmanon, aged 12, was discovered unconscious at his residence in Castleford on June 27 and was pronounced dead shortly after being taken to the hospital. The cause of death was determined to be hanging.
According to testimony presented at the Wakefield inquest, Sebastian had been playing outdoors joyfully before feeling fatigued and going inside the house. A relative found Sebastian unresponsive upstairs while bringing him a treat. Despite efforts to save him, Sebastian tragically did not survive.
Reports indicate that Sebastian was a fan of the dystopian thriller Squid Game and had an image of a character from the series who had hanged themselves on his phone. He was known as a humorous and well-liked individual who enjoyed pranks and making others laugh.
Authorities revealed that Sebastian may have been attempting to replicate a scene from Squid Game based on discussions with his family. While there was no evidence of him seeking out dangerous challenges on platforms like TikTok, it was noted that he had engaged with Squid Game content and had searched for choking survival tips on YouTube.
The police investigation dismissed the initial speculation of dangerous challenges as a contributing factor to Sebastian’s death. His family had previously cautioned him about the risks of such activities, and Sebastian had indicated he would avoid them.
Detective Sergeant Paul Bayliss, who examined the circumstances, suggested that Sebastian’s interest in Squid Game, the character depicted on his phone, and his playful nature might have led to the unfortunate incident.
Describing Sebastian as a cheerful and humorous student, Dr. Philip Dore, the headteacher at St Wilfred’s Catholic High School, highlighted Sebastian’s positive impact within the school community.
In a statement, Sebastian’s parents emphasized that their son was mentally well and his death was a tragic accident. The assistant coroner concluded that Sebastian’s passing was a result of misadventure, a term used for unintentional fatal outcomes stemming from deliberate actions.
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