Death of Carson Price

Carson Price (died 12 April 2019) was a Welsh 13-year-old boy found unconscious in a playground in Ystrad Mynach, Glamorgan, Wales, one mile away from his home, before being rushed to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff where he died upon arrival. It was confirmed that Price died after overdosing on ecstasy that he had purchased from an unnamed then 14-year-old boy.

Death
On 12 April 2019, Price arrived at a playground in Ystrad Mynach, Glamorgan with friends in purpose to purchase three ecstasy pills from a then 14-year-old boy that he was in contact with through the messaging app, Snapchat.

According to friends of Price, once purchasing the pills, Price proceeded to offer a pill to his friend which he declined, once Price was asked why he was taking the drug, Price responded “Because, it’s Friday night and I like the buzz.”. Friends of Price also reported the pills were in shape of the Nintendo video game character, Donkey Kong.

Price took two halves of a pill before “acting strangely” and then collapsing. It is unknown whether it was Price's friends who contacted emergency services; however, Price was rushed to University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff where he soon died upon arrival.

Investigation
On 18 April 2019, 6 days after Price's death, a 15-year-old boy who remained unnamed due to juvenile protection laws in Wales, from Blackwood was arrested with suspicion of being the person responsible for distributing ecstasy to Price. The 15-year old was 14 when supplied with the drugs by a 21-year-old man who he contacted through Snapchat. The 15-year old told authorities that he sold drugs mainly in exchange for money and was also confirmed to have carried a knife in purpose of intimidation and self-defence, which is illegal in the United Kingdom. It was confirmed that the 15-year old had sold drugs to Price, a week prior to April 12.

It was discovered, that a few hours after Price's death, the 14-year-old boy attempted to be supplied with more ecstasy from the 21-year old supplier messaging him saying “Reckon you can scrap me three pills until Saturday?”.

Legal proceedings
On 28 July 2020, 1 year and 3 months after Price's death, the 15-year old pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and selling a class-A drug, and was sentenced to 1 year in a juvenile correction facility and to pay £105 in damages.

Reaction
Following his death, a vigil was organized by his friends and held at the park which Price died, which was attented by his parents and brother. Schools across Wales and mainly in Ystrad Mynach, increased lessons which informed students about the dangers of drugs and held school assemblies commemorating Price, local government increased investigation on drug-related crime.

Lewis Boys and Lewis Girls comprehensive schools remained open over the following Easter holidays, in which schools would typically be closed, if students, parents or staff needed support if affected by Price's death.

Snapchat, the messaging service which was used by Price to communicate with the then 14-year old, increased encouragement towards users to report activities on the service relating to the distribution and purchasing of drugs.