Inquest begins today into death of Nantwich teenager Jonty Evans
An inquest begins today (Tuesday 1 July) into the tragic death of 16-year-old Jonty Evans, whose body was discovered in the River Weaver in Nantwich last year.
Jonty was reported missing on the night of Friday, August 30, 2024, and was last seen between 10.45pm and 11.15pm on Queens Drive in Nantwich.
His disappearance triggered a major search operation involving drones, search teams, and thermal imaging technology.
After two days of intensive searching, Jonty's body was found in the river on the evening of Sunday 1 September.
The inquest, taking place at Warrington Coroner's Court, is expected to last two days and will examine the circumstances leading up to the teenager's death.
The case has attracted significant public attention in Nantwich and beyond, with questions raised by the family over how the investigation was handled.
Following Jonty's death, two 16-year-old boys from Crewe were arrested on suspicion of section 47 assault and later released on conditional bail. They were then dropped from the investigation.
In February 2025, Cheshire Police confirmed foul play had been ruled out, a conclusion that left Jonty's family frustrated and heartbroken.
In a moving tribute released shortly after his death, Jonty's family said: "No words will ever describe the loss of our son. He was not only a son, but a friend and a brother.
"Jonty was compassionate, sensitive, brave and full of light, when he smiled it was as mountains smile to see the spring. His warm face greets me when I fall asleep and he's there the moment I wake up.
"You were ripped away from having a full and rich life and we were stolen the chance of ever having to see you grow old.
"This pain in our chests will never leave us and will forever be within our hearts because we love Jonty and that's something no one can take away from us.
"Tonight, and tomorrow and for the rest of our lives, we will look for you in the stars and through sunsets and remember who you were, until we meet again."
The inquest is expected to hear evidence from police, medical experts, and witnesses as the coroner seeks to determine how the much-loved teenager came to be in the river that night.
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