Carson Price: Police investigating whether 13-year-old boy found dead on bench died from drug overdose

‘My life is ruined, my baby gone,’ says teenager’s mother

Carson Price was 13-years-old (Gwent Police)

A 13-year-old boy who died after being found unconscious in a park in south Wales has been named as Carson Price.

Police officers are examining whether illegal drugs were a factor in the teenager’s death.

Carson, who was from the village of Hengoed, in Caerphilly, was discovered close to a rugby pitch at Ystrad Mynach Park on Friday evening.

He was around a mile away from his home and was rushed to hospital in Cardiff, where he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

“Carson was bright and caring, kind and loving, he was a cheeky little boy,” his family said in a statement.

“He was the best big brother and was loved and will be missed by so many.”

Gwent Police has continued to treat the teenager’s death as unexplained.

“Although we await official medical confirmation of the cause of death, one of our main lines of enquiry focuses on illegal substances being a contributing factor,” Detective Chief Inspector Sam Payne said.

“Specialist officers continue to support Carson’s family through this difficult time.

“I’d like to appeal again for anyone who has information that could help with our enquiries.”

Tatum Price, Carson’s mother, had earlier mourned her son in a post on Facebook.

“I’m broken, my life is over,” she wrote.

“Please help find out who sold these drugs to my son. My life is ruined, my baby gone.”

A spokesperson for Carson’s school, the Lewis School Pengam, said news of the teenager’s death was “devastating”.

“We’ve woken this morning to the devastating news that one of our pupils sadly passed away last night,” the spokesperson said.

“At such an awful time I’m sure that everyone in our community will join with us in passing on our deepest condolences and sympathy to everyone touched by this tragic event.

“Support will be made available to any pupils or staff in the weeks ahead but in the meantime our thoughts are with the family, we literally have no words...”

“It’s with immense sadness that today I heard the news that one of our pupils has passed away,” Christopher Parry, the school’s headmaster, added on Saturday.

“We are all devastated by this tragic loss.”

On Saturday afternoon Brian and Tatum Price, Carson’s parents, could be seen consoling each other at the park where he was found.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Gwent Police on 101 quoting log number 523 12/4/19 or to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Additional reporting by agencies