Boy, 13, described as ‘one in every of a sort’ after beating most cancers, drowned after falling into river whereas consuming with buddies in makeshift den, inquest hears
A 13-year-old boy described as ‘one of a kind’ after beating cancer died after falling into a river while drinking with friends, an inquest heard.
Mylo Capilla, 13, had gone to an area known as ‘the Muddies’ by the River Tees in Ingleby Barwick, Teesside, to build a makeshift den on June 27 last year.
But the schoolboy, who suffered from cystic fibrosis and had previously beaten a diagnosis of stage four cancer, went into the water and was tragically swept away.
A police search was launched involving drones, divers and a helicopter, but Mylo’s body was recovered from the river the following day.
An inquest at Teesside Coroners Court today heard that Mylo had been drinking vodka and gin and as he headed towards the river had text messaged a friend saying: ‘I may have had too much vodka.’
A friend who was with him told police they ‘went into the water but could not recall how or why’ and described how Mylo was holding onto a branch.
The friend had been found ‘covered in mud and slightly intoxicated’, the court heard.
When his body was recovered, toxicology tests revealed that Mylo had a ‘very high level of alcohol in his blood’ which would have caused a ‘significant degree of intoxication.’
He was found to have a blood alcohol reading of 288mg per 100ml, which is more than three times the drink driving limit.
Mylo Capilla was described as ‘one of a kind’ by his doting father and ‘loved by so many people’
This may have inhibited his attempts to save himself, the inquest heard.
In a statement read to the hearing, Mylo’s father, Daniel Capilla, said his son had visited him on the day of his death and was proud to share the news that he had a new girlfriend.
‘Mylo was caring, kind, loyal, and was loved by so many people,’ Mr Capilla said.
He said his son was ‘always ready to wrap you in one of his famous hugs’ and he ‘always knew what to give and he gave it freely.’
The court heard that Mylo had been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis as a baby and was diagnosed with stage four cancer in 2021 but was miraculously given the all-clear the following year.
His father said that even during his treatment he was ‘brave and carried on being his usual self, joking and being silly’.
Mr Capilla said he still remembers their final exchange, where Mylo gave him a hug and said ‘love you Papa’ before he left the house.
In a statement to local media following the hearing, Mylo’s mother said: ‘If I could say one thing to other parents, it would be this: hold your babies close, no matter how old they are. Tell them you love them.
‘As Mylo’s mum, there are no words that truly capture what we’ve lost.
‘My beautiful boy had a short life and he faced more challenges than many do in a lifetime, but he lived every single day to the fullest.
‘He was funny, full of energy, and had a way of lighting up a room the moment he walked into it. He felt everything deeply, loved fiercely, and touched the heart of everyone he ever met.
‘Hearing the conclusion that he drowned, with alcohol playing a part, has broken our hearts beyond words.
A huge police search operation was launched when Mylo went missing on June 27 last year but tragically his body was recovered from the River Tees the following day
‘If I could say one thing to other parents, it would be this: hold your babies close, no matter how old they are. Tell them you love them.
‘And please, please take water safety and the risks of alcohol seriously. We will carry Mylo with us for the rest of our lives. He was, and always will be, my precious boy.’
The inquest heard how Mylo and his friends went to Tesco and One Stop shops before heading to the Muddies at 6.03pm.
They went with the intention of building a den and Mylo had a bottles of vodka and gin in his bag along with some shot cups.
By 8.50pm that night, concerns had been raised by parents as to their whereabouts and it was 9.09pm when Cleveland Police was called.
Officers arrived at the scene 20 minutes later.
Detective Chief Inspector David Snaith said the force launched a major response after being told Mylo, a student at All Saints CE Academy in Ingleby, had gone into the river and that his bike and phone had been found nearby.
Nearby residents came out in their droves to assist the search through the night.
But sadly, his body was found by diving teams downstream at 4.20pm, the day after his disappearance.
Sam Hoggard, consultant Home Office pathologist, said Mylo’s level of intoxication would be associated with factors such as confusion, dizziness, and an increased pain threshold.
There were no drugs found in his system.
Assistant coroner Paul Appleton concluded that Mylo died due to drowning at a time when he was intoxicated after consuming a significant amount of alcohol, which may have impaired his judgement and ability to save himself.
