Two-year-old Xielo Maruziva’s body was pulled from the River Soar, Leicestershire in June and a pre-inquest review was held at Leicester Coroner’s Court on Thursday
The heartbroken family of a two-year-old boy who died after falling into a river packed out a courtroom as the probe into his tragic death continues.
Two-year-old Xielo Maruziva‘s body was pulled from the River Soar, Leicestershire in June – four months after he fell into the water in the Aylestone Meadows nature reserve, close to Marsden Lane, on a family outing on February 18. Following his death, Xielo’s family described the youngster as a “cheeky, funny, friendly, smart, caring and independent little boy”.
A pre-inquest review, which was held at Leicester Coroner’s Court, sitting at the City Hall, was held on Thursday with the courtroom filled with Xielo’s parents and other relatives. It comes after reports of a dad’s desperate phone call moments before explosion kills him and his daughters.
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The court heard the inquest will look at the events leading up to Xielo entering the river and the investigations afterwards. Senior coroner Professor Catherine Mason insisted a jury will hear evidence in the inquest, which is expected to last five days and will begin on a date yet to be decided.
“The very fact we have got this matter of discussion taking place, I’m not so sure I can be persuaded to sit without a jury,” Prof Mason told the court. “It remains that we do – that we hear this inquest with a jury.”
The hearing was told that Leicester City Council, which manages the nature reserve, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Xielo’s family will be interested persons in the inquest. The coroner said evidence will be heard from a pathologist, an officer involved in the police investigation, an inspector in the HSE investigation and some members of Xielo’s family, including his father, who the court heard came to the scene when he found out what happened.
After her son’s body was pulled from the water, devastated mum Kayela Smith spoke of the family’s heartbreak. “As you can imagine this is a situation that no parent wishes to find themselves in especially when your child is at such a young age,” she said.
“Xielo was a cheeky, friendly, smart, caring and independent little boy – he never failed to make us laugh or smile. As a family, we are heartbroken due to his tragic loss – It is hard to describe the pain and suffering we are all going through. Xielo was only two years old, with such a bright and promising future ahead of him whose life has been taken away from us so soon.”
A GoFundMe page was launched to help with funeral costs and so far the page has raised more than £8,000. Kayela added: “I have launched this page as a grieving mother to help with the funeral planning for my little boy Xielo Maruziva, to give him the send-off he deserves.
“He loved playing with his toys, watching cartoons including Bino and Fino. Xielo will never be forgotten. I want to thank all that have shown their continued support, passed on well wishes and any donations throughout this terrible time.”
Following the discovery of Xielo’s body, assistant Chief Constable Michaela Kerr said: “We are so sorry to bring this news. This is a devastating and tragic incident and our thoughts are with all of Xielo’s family at this most difficult and unimaginable time. We ask that the privacy of the family continues to be respected at this time.
“Full support also continues to be provided to the workers who were in the area of Aylestone Meadows on Thursday morning and I continue to thank them for their support and co-operation in the most horrendous circumstances.”
