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 camping trip to the countryside in Wales.
Kaicy Rakai Zelden Brown, 12, and her grandfather David Brown, 66, died in suspected accidental carbon monoxide poisoning, which may have been caused by a stove, an inquest heard.
The young man was found unconscious alongside his grandfather in a tent in Powys by his uncle, who was sleeping in a nearby tent at around 11am on September 14.
The family, originally from Earley in Berkshire, had traveled 200 miles to the camp in mid-Wales and spent the night before the tragic incident occurred.
Tributes have been paid to “kind and gentle” Kaicy Rakai Zelden Brown, 12, and her grandfather David Brown, 66.
The pair were found by Kaicy’s uncle (pictured) in a tent in Powys, mid-Wales, on the morning of September 14.
Emergency services attended the scene but the grandfather and grandson could not be saved.
Coroner Graeme Hughes told Pontypridd Coroner’s Court that a toxicology test would determine the levels of carbon monoxide in the 12-year-old’s blood.
He told their families: “My deepest condolences to all of you on the loss of Kaicy and David in such tragic circumstances.”
The court also heard that an inquest was underway into the death of Kaicy’s grandfather David, who lived in Wokingham, Berkshire.
The investigation has been adjourned to a later date.
After 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 calm nature and support of others.”
Friends and colleagues of the family have also organized two fundraising events.
One was created to help Kaicy’s heartbroken mother, Jessica, who lost her son and father in the “unimaginable” tragedy.
Kaicy Rakai Zelden Brown, 12, and her grandfather David Brown, 66 (pictured together), are believed to have died from suspected accidental carbon monoxide poisoning.
Emergency services were called to the scene, but the grandfather and his grandson could not be saved (Pictured: Kaicy Brown)
He GoFundMe Created by the grieving mother’s friends, it read: “On September 15, the unimaginable happened to her 12-year-old son Kaicy and his father.
‘They died from carbon monoxide poisoning on a camping trip.
‘The money raised will go towards funeral costs, a memorial service and legal fees as Jess wants to bring her son home as there are disputes within the family over where he will be laid to rest.
‘We don’t want her to have any more headaches at this sad time.
“Any donation would be greatly appreciated to help ease the financial burden of this tragic accident, and also to help many families in need.”
More than £1,500 has been donated to the fundraiser, which has a target of £5,000.
a second GoFundMe The page to support David’s widow Mandy has also been set up by Sonning Church of England Primary School, where Kaicy attended 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 grieving family.
The statement added: “We, as a community made up of parents, PTA members, staff, governors, colleagues, friends, local organizations and families, come together to show our love and support for the family at this tragic time, and let they know in our own small way that we are here for them.’
Kaicy and her brother attended primary school, while their grandmother and tutor, Mandi, is a teaching assistant and has been a member of staff for over 20 years.
A statement on the GoFundMe page paid tribute to the youngster, who was described as saying: “This is a desperately sad situation, especially as Kaicy was only 12 years old.”
Sonning Church of England Primary School, where Kaicy attended until a few months ago before starting secondary school, remembered the young woman as ‘a true ambassador’
“We, as a school and local community of parents, friends and colleagues, are shocked and we all send our condolences and our deepest love and support to Ms 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 humor.”
He 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 still hang proudly in 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.
‘Her performance at the fashion show at our Year 6 residential was also completely entertaining, combining her acting skills and sense of humor to put on a hilarious display for her classmates and staff.
‘A gentle soul, Kaicy made friends easily and was loved by his classmates and adults alike for his calm nature and support of others.
‘Kaicy always upheld our Sonning values and was a true ambassador for the school.
“Kaicy was one of those students who had such a bright future ahead of her and someone who we always felt would accomplish great things in her life, a thought that makes this situation even more difficult as we remember someone so special.”
