Cause of Death Revealed for Bronson Battersby, 2-Year-Old Boy Found Dead Next to Dad's Body
Lincolnshire Police previously told PEOPLE the 2-year-old boy and his 60-year-old father Kenneth Battersby were found dead at a home on Jan. 9
A cause of death has been revealed for Bronson Battersby, the two-year-old boy who was found dead next to his father in January.
During a hearing at the Greater Lincolnshire Coroner’s Court on Thursday, June 6, it was revealed that a post-mortem examination found Bronson died of dehydration, according to The Guardian, Sky News and The Telegraph.
The child also “appeared to be quite malnourished," per The Guardian and Sky News.
The Lincolnshire Police Department previously told PEOPLE the boy and his 60-year-old father, Kenneth Battersby, were found dead alongside each other on Jan. 9 at a home on Prince Alfred Avenue in the town of Skegness.
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A social worker — who was not legally permitted to force entry to the property — was scheduled to meet the father and son on Jan. 2, but was unable to connect with them, according to a previous statement obtained by PEOPLE from The Lincolnshire County Council previously.
They attempted an unannounced visit two days later, and contacted police after failing to connect with them yet again.
On Jan. 9, the social worker was granted access to the apartment, which is when their bodies were found.
Officials said at the the time that initial findings indicated the boy's father died of a heart attack.
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Bronson had been living in a basement apartment with his father, who had separated from the child’s mother, The Guardian and Sky News reported. The father reportedly had said that he was “struggling to cope” with the child prior to their deaths.
Kenneth’s body was found on the floor by the living room door, according to The Telegraph. A malnourished dog was also reportedly found in the apartment, perThe Guardian.
Now, a six-month independent review into the two deaths will be conducted, according to The Telegraph.
“It’s important we take time to explore fully the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident and identify any potential improvements we could make,” said Chris Cook, independent chairman of the Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Partnership.
When contacted on Thursday, June 6, police said they had no further information to share due to the ongoing investigation. PEOPLE has also reached out to the Greater Lincolnshire Coroner's Court.
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