Reopening of Inquest Following Mother’s Legal Efforts
Teenager s inquest to reopen after – The High Court has overturned the initial ruling of an inquest into the death of 14-year-old Jools Sweeney, following a successful legal petition by his mother, Ellen Roome. The original inquest, held in September 2022, lasted just 23 minutes and did not call any live witnesses before concluding. Now, a new inquest is set to examine fresh evidence, including data from Jools’ social media accounts and personal devices, which his mother believes were critical to understanding the events leading to his death.
Jools Sweeney’s parents, Matt and Ellen Roome, have been seeking clarity since his passing. Ellen, who was visibly emotional during the court hearing, stated:
“We hope this is a turning point, not only in finding the truth about Jools, but in making the online world safer for every child.”
The court’s decision marks the first instance in England and Wales where a new inquest has been mandated to specifically review digital evidence from a deceased child.
The ruling comes amid the implementation of the Online Safety Act 2023, which empowers Ofcom to request data from social media platforms. This act, not in effect during the original inquest, allows for a more thorough investigation into online activities. Ellen Roome plans to leverage the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 to obtain Jools’ social media content through the coroner’s office. She emphasized,
“I cannot live the rest of my life without trying to look for answers as to why my son’s not here.”
Neither the coroner nor TikTok opposed the request to reopen the case. Roome’s legal team argued that new evidence highlights the role of social media in Jools’ death, with multiple investigative paths left unexplored in the original hearing. Lord Justice Warby and Mrs Justice Heather Williams agreed, quashing the previous conclusion and setting a new date for the inquest.
Ellen Roome’s efforts have positioned her as a prominent advocate for restricting social media access for children. In January 2025, she initiated a lawsuit against TikTok, alleging that a “blackout challenge” contributed to her son’s demise. While no further hearings have occurred, the case has drawn support from other parents, including Mariano Janin, who lost his daughter Mia to cyberbullying in 2021. Janin stated:
“What Ellen is doing, it’s very important. It would make it easier to get the information.”
He added that most parents “don’t fight because you lost all the motivation” after losing a child.
Janin, who accompanied Roome at the High Court, pledged to pursue a similar path for Mia’s inquest if her case succeeded. He stressed the need for social media companies to “be 100% responsible and accountable,” citing their technological and financial capacity to improve safety measures for young users. Roome’s campaign aims to create a lasting impact, with her declaring:
“If Jools’ legacy helps protect even one child or gives one family the answers they deserve, then he will have changed the world.”
Supporters of the initiative believe the new inquest could set a precedent for future cases involving online platforms. For parents grappling with loss, this development offers renewed hope in holding digital services accountable. As the legal process unfolds, the focus remains on uncovering the full story of Jools Sweeney’s death and ensuring online safety for children across the UK.
