Double tragedy as schoolboy, 12, and grandfather found dead inside tent during family camping trip in Wales

Tributes have been paid to a ‘kind and gentle’ 12-year-old boy and his grandfather who were found dead in a tent during a countryside camping trip in Wales.

Kaicy Rakai Zelden Brown, 12, and his 66-year-old grandfather David Brown, died in a suspected accidental carbon monoxide poisoning, which may have been caused by a cooking stove, an inquest has heard.

The young boy was found unresponsive alongside his grandfather in a tent in Powys by his uncle who has been sleeping in a tent nearby at around 11am on September 14. 

The family, who hailed from Early in Berkshire, had travelled 200 miles to the campsite in mid-Wales and stayed overnight before the tragic incident occurred. 

Kaicy Rakai Zelden Brown, 12, and 66-year-old grandfather David Brown (Pictured together), are believed to have died in a suspected accidental carbon monoxide poisoning

The two were found by Kaicy’s (Pictured) uncle in a tent in Powys, mid-Wales on the morning of September 14

Emergency services were called to the scene but the grandfather and grandchild could not be saved. 

Senior coroner Graeme Hughes told the Pontypridd Coroner’s Court a toxicology test would determine the carbon monoxide levels in the 12-year-old’s blood.

He told family members: ‘My deepest condolences to all of you for the loss of both Kaicy and David in such tragic circumstances.’

The court also heard an investigation was underway to the death of Kaicy’s grandfather, David, who lived in Wokingham, Berkshire.

The inquest has been adjourned to a later date.

In the aftermath of the double tragedy, Kaicy’s former primary school paid tribute to the ‘exceptionally talented artist’ who made friends easily and was ‘loved by his classmates and adults alike for his easy-going nature and support for others.’ 

Two fundraisers have also been set up by friends and colleagues of the family. 

One has been set up to help Kaicy’s heartbroken mother, Jessica, who lost both her son and father in the ‘unimaginable’ tragedy.

The GoFundMe created by the grieving mother’ friends, read: ‘On 15th September the unimaginable happened to her son Kaicy, 12 and her father. 

‘They passed away from carbon monoxide poisoning on a camping trip.

Emergency services were called to the scene but the grandfather and his grandchild could not be saved (Pictured: Kaicy Brown)

‘The money raised will go towards funeral costs, a memorial and legal fees as Jess wants to bring her boy home, as there is disputes within the family about where he will be laid to rest. 

‘We don’t want her to go through anymore headache at this sad time.

‘Any donations would be greatly appreciated to help relieve the financial burden of this tragic accident, also to help many families in need.’

Over £1,500 has been donated to the fundraiser, which has a £5,000 target. 

A second GoFundMe page to support David’s widow, Mandy has also been set up by Sonning Church of England Primary School, where Kaicy attended up until a few months ago before starting secondary school.

In a post on Facebook, the school said the community was ‘coming together to show our love’ for the bereaved family.

The statement added:  ‘We, as a community made up of parents, PTA members, staff, governors, colleagues, friends, local organisations and families, are coming together to show our love and support for the family at this tragic time, and let them know in our small way that we are here for them.’

Kaicy and his brother attended the primary school, while their grandmother and guardian, Mandi, is a teaching assistant and has been a member of staff for more than 20 years. 

A statement on the GoFundMe page paid tribute to the youngster, who was described as said: ‘This is a desperately sad situation, not least of all because Kaicy was only 12 years old. 

‘We, as a school and local community of parents, friends and colleagues, are in shock, and we are all sending our condolences and deepest love and support to Mrs Brown, Reo and their family at this time.’

The statement went on to pay tribute to Kaicy, who was described as ‘a true ambassador for the school’ and ‘a kind, thoughtful and emotionally-aware boy who lit up a room with his smile and good sense of humour.’

It added: ‘He was also an exceptionally talented artist and impressed us with his attention to detail and incredible commitment to his artwork. 

‘Many of his pieces are still hung proudly around the school. 

‘Memories of Kaicy’s fantastic starring role as Mrs Wolf, in the Year 6 production in July 2023, will always make us smile. 

‘His fashion show performance at our Year 6 residential was also thoroughly entertaining, combining his acting skills and sense of humour to put on a hilarious display for his peers and staff. 

‘A gentle soul, Kaicy made friends easily and was loved by his classmates and adults alike for his easy-going nature and support for others. 

‘Kaicy always upheld our Sonning values and was a true ambassador for the school. 

‘Kaicy was one of those pupils who had such a bright future ahead of him and someone we always felt would achieve great things in his life – a thought which makes this situation even harder as we remember someone so special.’