RHYS BONNER tragically died when he was just 19 years old.
The handling of the teenager’s death has sparked complaints from his grieving mum, who has vowed she “won’t give up fighting” to find out what happened to her son.
Rhys Bonner went missing in July 2019 and was found dead weeks later just minutes from his home
Who was Rhys Bonner?
Rhys Bonner was a 19 year old from Easterhouse, Glasgow.
He was a Celtic fan and older sibling to five children.
Bonner went missing in July 2019 after telling his family he was going to watch a football game with a friend.
He had no cash or phone with him.
What happened to Rhys Bonner?
Two weeks after he went missing, Bonner’s body was found just minutes from his home.
He was discovered half-naked and dead in marshlands between Easterhouse and Gartloch Village on August 8, 2019.
The cause of Rhys’ death was listed as “unascertained” and ruled not suspicious.
Police found a “likelihood” that “drowning caused or played a role” in the tragic incident, according to the Police Investigations & Review Commissioner (PIRC) report.
It also said there were “indications” the teen’s death “may have been drug-related due to evidence of street valium”.
Rhys’ family deny he took drugs.
But the procurator fiscal’s office “confirmed there were various sources who had provided this information”, including Rhys’ “own admission to his GP and to the NHS at A&E”, according to the PIRC report.
What has Stephanie Bonner said about Rhys’ death?
Rhys Bonner’s mother Stephanie Bonner has spoken out about the heartache she has suffered due to the way her son’s death was handled by police.
She has flagged issues with the missing person’s probe which led to Rhys’ body being found, lodging 26 complaints with the force.
In December 2022 it was reported that the PIRC concurred that officers had made multiple mistakes with Rhys’ case.
In a 66-page report, the PIRC agreed repeated “shortcomings” had been made relating to the probe into Rhys’ disappearance and the treatment of his relatives in the aftermath.
These errors included giving Stephanie the wrong coordinates to where her son was discovered and not enough being done to facilitate a visit to the marshland where Rhys was found for his family.
Stephanie believes Rhys was killed but police say there is no evidence.
Stephanie said after the PIRC report was released in 2022: “I’ve been to hell and back waiting on the findings of the handling of my complaint.
“I still have no closure but I feel the outcome of the report is bringing me one step closer to justice for Rhys.
“I hope Police Scotland will take this matter seriously now.
“It’s almost three years to reach this point and I won’t give up fighting until I know exactly what happened to Rhys.”
She added that her family was “left in limbo” as they had to wait almost three years for answers from the internal review.
Prior to receiving the PIRC reports, Stephanie had shared her concerns over how police had treated her during the investigation into Rhys’ disappearance and death.
She told the Glasgow Times: “I just want to know exactly what happened to my son and to have my concerns about how police conducted themselves addressed.
“The complaint to the PIRC was made over two-and-a-half years ago and I’m still waiting on an outcome.
“I would like to know why it has taken so long.
“I need answers about how Police Scotland handled Rhys’ death and exactly where his half-naked body was found 15 days after he went missing.
“I can’t even go put flowers on the place he died because we don’t know the exact location.
“It’s tearing me apart not knowing what happened to my beautiful boy.
“No mother should have to go through this kind of torment.”
In February 2023, Stephanie gave evidence to a panel at the Scottish Government’s Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee.
There, she called on the Scottish Government to provide more support for others who who have lost loved ones under similar circumstances.
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