Mum seeks new inquest into online challenge death

A mum who believes her son died in an online challenge that went wrong is applying to the High Court for a new inquest into his death.

Jools Sweeney was 14 when he died in 2022 and his parents, Ellen Roome and Matthew Sweeney, have been granted permission by the Attorney General to apply to the High Court for another inquest.

A coroner returned a narrative verdict at Jools' original inquest - which lasted less than half an hour - and ruled out suicide.

If the inquest is granted, Roome said Jools' online activity and digital evidence from his phone, retained by police, would be examined. She is "hopeful" the data will provide answers.

Roome has been campaigning for social media companies to preserve children's data, with an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill to be made as a result of her efforts.

In an update posted on social media, Roome said she and Sweeney, her ex-husband, were preparing to file an application at the High Court "after nearly four years searching for answers" about Jools' death.

"This is a significant step forward," she said. "If the High Court grants a new inquest, it will allow the full circumstances surrounding Jools' death to finally be properly examined, including his online activity and digital evidence.

"No parent should have to fight this hard simply to understand what happened to their child... I'm doing this for Jools, and for every family still searching for answers."

If there is another inquest, Roome said she would use the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 to request Jools' social media content via the coroner.

The Solicitor General, Ellie Reeves KC, said she had "the utmost respect" for Roome's "strength and her determination to advocate for others who have experienced similar heartbreaking losses".

"Jools Sweeney's death was tragic, and I know how painful and lengthy the search for answers can be for families like Ellen's," she said.

"After careful consideration, I have given permission for an application to the High Court for a fresh inquest into Jools' death.

"I believe there is a reasonable prospect the High Court will order one, and I wanted to make sure this decision was given the full care it deserves."