Connor had stormed out of his house after a row with his mum and stepdad

Photo of Connor Slade.

A SCHOOLBOY was found dead in a school playground after running away from home, an inquest heard.

Connor Lee Mark, 13, was discovered unresponsive in the grounds of Melin Primary School in Mile End Row, South Wales, near his home, on January 29.

Melin Primary School in Neath, where Connor Slade, 13, was found unresponsive.
Connor Slade was found in the grounds of Melin Primary School in Neath, South Wales
Credit: Google

Photo of Connor Slade.
The teenager had rowed with his mum and stepdad before running away
Credit: GoFundMe
The teenager had been confronted about a missing bottle of vodka and an aerosol by his mum and stepdad the night before and he started “kicking off”, then stormed out of the house without his shoes.

He returned a short while later to collect them before threatening to “jump off a bridge”, and left again, the inquest heard yesterday, reports WalesOnline.

Mum Louise Morgan and stepdad Jason Clark told police Connor had made threats like this before but he usually returned and so they didn’t take it seriously.

However, nonetheless Jason went out to look for him but after walking around the street eventually returned, assistant coroner David Bennett said.

During the same evening, Louise and Jason’s friends David Morrow and Amy Winslade were visiting their home and were leaving as Louise called the police to report her son missing.

Moments later the couple heard Amy shriek “Connor, Connor!”

David had seen the teen’s body in the playground of the nearby primary school.

Former lifeguard Jason attempted to give his stepson mouth to mouth resuscitation in the six minutes before paramedics arrived.

However, Connor was declared dead at 3.43am on January 29, DC Danaher told the hearing.

Forensic pathologist Dr John Williams found the cause of death was ligature self suspension.

Traces of alcohol and cannabis were found in the teen’s system but these were not fatal levels and did not play a part in his death, the report said.

Coroner Mr Bennett recorded a narrative verdict saying the circumstances did not point to Connor intending to take his life.

He said: “It would appear that following the argument on January 29 Connor left in a state of mind that prevented him thinking clearly.

“I do not take his remark that he was going to jump off a bridge as anything other than impulsive – something born of temper rather than of intention.

“There is no evidence Connor had suicidal ideation and there was no history of self harm.”