Teenager, 19, froze to death at Surrey beauty spot after his father threw him out of the house because he had been smoking cannabis
- Lyndon Turner was kicked out of family home hours before his body was found
- His father had been furious after his involvement in a cannabis-fuelled car crash
- 19-year-old apprentice window fitter’s body was found in Clobham Common
- Woking Coroner’s Court confirmed the teenager died of significant hypothermia
A teenager died from hypothermia after a family bust-up over drugs saw him kicked out of his house just hours earlier, an inquest has heard.
The frozen body of Lyndon Turner, 19, was found near Chobham Common, Surrey on the afternoon of December 2, 2020.
The apprentice window fitter had taken a rest in the Surrey nature reserve after walking miles from his father’s Ascot home following a furious row over cannabis.
An inquest heard how the family feud stemmed from Turner’s involvement in a minor car crash a day earlier – which his father believed had been caused by his son’s cannabis use.
Startled witnesses called 999 after finding Turner’s cold body the following day at the Surrey beauty spot.
Despite the best efforts of paramedics, who arrived at the scene shortly before 5.10pm, Lyndon was confirmed dead at 5.56pm.
Lyndon Turner’s body was found in a car park in Clobham Common, Surrey, (pictured) a day after a fight with his father over cannabis use saw him kicked out of the house
Assistant coroner Karen Henderson read aloud evidence at a documentary inquest on Thursday (April 29) at Woking Coroner’s Court, including that of Lyndon’s dad.
Dr Henderson said: ‘He explained on December 1 Lyndon returned home with damage to the front of the car having been involved in a minor road traffic collision and that he was believed to have been using cannabis.’
The court heard his father told him he was not welcome to stay at the house and thought he had friends who he could be with instead.
Despite numerous enquiries, the inquest heard it was not possible to establish where Lyndon went between leaving his Ascot house and getting to the common.
Dr Henderson told the court she had seen texts between Lyndon and his sister which indicated he was unhappy with the decision of his father and indicated the difficulties they had had.
Toxicology analysis did not provide any clear explanation of Lyndon’s death, but did show ‘frequent or chronic use of cannabis’, the inquest heard.
The pathologist’s report found hypothermia was an active operating factor in his death.
The 19-year-old apprentice window fitter was confirmed to have died of ‘significant hypothermia’ at Woking Coroner’s Court
Summarising, Dr Henderson said: ‘I accept the cause of death provided by the pathologist to the court as ketoacidosis complicating hypothermia.
‘I am satisfied on the balance of probabilities that Lyndon was a regular user of cannabis.
‘There were some difficulties with his family circumstances and due to a recent car accident, and concerns of his father that he had been using cannabis, that he was asked not to remain at home.
‘Sadly, he did not choose to find somewhere else to live.
‘I am satisfied he found himself in Chobham Common on the night of December 1, 2020, that he fell asleep during that period of time, and given the time of year it resulted in significant hypothermia which is directly causative of his death.’
Sending her condolences to his family, Dr Henderson formally recorded Lyndon died by way of misadventure, the unexpected consequence of an act.
The day after Lyndon died, Surrey Police cordoned off Monument Car Park on the edge of Chobham Common and police officers were seen combing the area.
A police spokesperson said following a full investigation, it was concluded there was no third party involvement in Lyndon’s death which saw the matter passed to the coroner.
The spokesperson added: ‘The 17-year-old boy from Staines-upon-Thames, who was arrested in connection with the incident, remains under investigation on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a controlled substance.’
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