The initial inquest into the death of 14-year-old Jools Sweeney from Gloucestershire is set to be reopened following a High Court ruling that quashed the original conclusion. Jools tragically passed away in April 2022, and the brief inquest held in September of the same year lasted just 23 minutes without hearing live evidence before delivering a narrative verdict.
Jools’ mother, Ellen Roome, challenged the senior coroner’s verdict, arguing that crucial new evidence had emerged, particularly concerning the influence of social media platforms like TikTok. Her legal team highlighted that several investigative avenues related to TikTok’s platform and its data, which were overlooked in the first inquest, now require thorough examination.
Neither the coroner nor TikTok opposed the application to reopen the inquest. After the hearing in London, two senior judges, Lord Justice Warby and Mrs Justice Heather Williams, ruled in favor of reopening, emphasizing that justice demands a fresh and comprehensive investigation. They acknowledged that it was unclear whether the initial conclusion would stand once all evidence is properly considered and left the scope of the new inquest to the coroner’s discretion.
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Ms. Roome, present at the hearing, was visibly emotional as the verdict was announced. Her barrister, Harry Lambert, revealed that the Attorney General had approved the legal challenge earlier this year, and Gloucestershire Police were also reviewing the circumstances surrounding Jools’ death.
Mr. Lambert detailed that the new evidence points not only to social media’s role, particularly TikTok, with indications of excessive use or addiction, but also other significant factors previously ignored. These include the possibility of Jools’ Instagram account being hacked and pre-death interactions on platforms beyond TikTok.
Further alarming revelations involved a fraudulent Instagram account operated by an African crime gang, which reportedly contacted Jools shortly before he died. Phone data suggested a potential extortion or “sextortion” attempt, providing a broader and more complex picture of the events leading to his death.
Ms. Roome’s sole aim is a fearless and thorough investigation to uncover the truth behind her son’s death, regardless of where the evidence leads.
TikTok’s representative, Anthony Jones, stated the company did not oppose reopening the inquest and recognized the justification for further inquiry, noting that determining relevant evidence remains the coroner’s responsibility.
In addition to pursuing the inquest, Ms. Roome is among five British parents suing TikTok in the United States following the deaths of their children. She is also campaigning for legal reforms that would require social media companies to share child users’ data with grieving families.