Teenager froze to death at Clobham Common after cannabis fight with father saw him thrown out home

The frozen body of a teenager was found in the car park of a commuter belt beauty spot just a day after he was thrown out of the family home over a bust-up over his cannabis use, an inquest has heard.  

The body of Lyndon Turner, 19, was found in the leafy village of Chobham in Surrey on the afternoon of December 2, 2020. 

The apprentice window fitter had taken a rest in Chobham Common, a popular Surrey nature reserve, after walking six miles from his father’s Ascot home following a furious row over drugs.

An inquest heard how the family feud stemmed from Turner’s involvement in a minor car crash a day earlier – which his father Graham believed had been caused by his son’s cannabis use.

His body was discovered by people walking in the park, who called 999 after finding Turner the following day at the Surrey beauty spot.

Despite the best efforts of paramedics, assistant coroner Karen Henderson confirmed Lyndon died of ‘significant hypothermia’.

She said: ‘I am satisfied he found himself in Chobham Common on the night of December 1, 2020, that he fell asleep during that period of time, and given the time of year it resulted in significant hypothermia which is directly causative of his death.’

Pictured is 19-year-old Lyndon Turner, who froze to death in a Surrey car park hours after a family feud over his drug use

Tributes from friends and family poured in for the 19-year-old apprentice window fitter, whose body was discovered in Chobham Common, Surrey

Tributes from friends and family poured in for the 19-year-old apprentice window fitter, whose body was discovered in Chobham Common, Surrey

Lyndon had been involved in a minor car crash the day before his death - which led his father Graham to believe the teenager had been using cannabis

Lyndon had been involved in a minor car crash the day before his death – which led his father Graham to believe the teenager had been using cannabis

Lyndon had been involved in a minor car crash the day before his death – which led his father to believe the teenager had been using cannabis. 

Texts between Lyndon and his sister show a strained relationship between son and father.

Witnesses who found Lyndon’s body and called 999 said they did not know the apprentice window fitter, but had seen him a few times in the same location.

A police cordon was set-up in a car park of Chobham Common, and a 17-year-old boy from Staines-upon-Thames was arrested and remains under investigation on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a controlled substance.

Assistant coroner Karen Henderson read aloud evidence at a documentary inquest at Woking Coroner’s Court, including that of Lyndon’s dad, Graham.

Dr Henderson said: ‘He [Graham] explained on December 1, Lyndon returned home with damage to the front of the car having been involved in a minor road traffic collision and that he was believed to have been using cannabis.’

The court heard his father told him he was not welcome to stay at the house and thought he had friends who he could be with instead.

Despite numerous enquiries, the inquest heard it was not possible to establish where Lyndon went between leaving his Ascot house and getting to the common.

Dr Henderson told the court she had seen texts between Lyndon and his sister which indicated he was unhappy with the decision of his father and indicated the difficulties they had had.

Toxicology analysis did not provide any clear explanation of Lyndon’s death, but did show ‘frequent or chronic use of cannabis’, the inquest heard.

The pathologist’s report found hypothermia was an active operating factor in his death.

Lyndon Turner's body was found by startled witnesses in a car park in Chobham Common, Surrey, (pictured)

Lyndon Turner’s body was found by startled witnesses in a car park in Chobham Common, Surrey, (pictured)

The 19-year-old apprentice window fitter was confirmed to have died of 'significant hypothermia' at Woking Coroner's Court

The 19-year-old apprentice window fitter was confirmed to have died of ‘significant hypothermia’ at Woking Coroner’s Court

Summarising, Dr Henderson said: ‘I accept the cause of death provided by the pathologist to the court as ketoacidosis complicating hypothermia.

‘I am satisfied on the balance of probabilities that Lyndon was a regular user of cannabis.

‘There were some difficulties with his family circumstances and due to a recent car accident, and concerns of his father that he had been using cannabis, that he was asked not to remain at home. 

‘Sadly, he did not choose to find somewhere else to live. 

Sending her condolences to his family, Dr Henderson formally recorded Lyndon died by way of misadventure, the unexpected consequence of an act.