The family of 14-year-old Leo Gurr, who had a known heart condition, have voiced serious concerns that police officers frightened him to death during a visit to his Southampton home.
According to Leo’s mother, Shannon Woodford, officers attended their residence to speak to Leo following an allegation that he had slapped another boy in a local park. She states that the visit caused Leo to panic. After officers knocked on the door, Leo reportedly fled through the back door and collapsed in a nearby alleyway.
Tragically, Leo passed away on 21 June at approximately 12:29pm despite paramedics' efforts to revive him.
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Hampshire Police’s Professional Standards Department conducted an internal investigation and found no evidence of misconduct, a conclusion supported by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). A full inquest has been scheduled to determine the precise cause of death.
Shannon Woodford has criticised the police for disregarding Leo’s heart condition, which was documented on police records prior to the visit. She stated in a Facebook post that Leo’s panic and subsequent cardiac arrest were triggered by the visit, describing how he ran barefoot into an alley after officers actively knocked on the door and banged on the kitchen window while announcing themselves.
She further highlighted that emotional stress was a known trigger for Leo’s heart condition and accused Hampshire Constabulary of “literally scaring the life out of the child.” Shannon also claimed that officers switched off their body-worn cameras during the incident and that Leo was later cleared of involvement in the alleged slapping.
The family has made public the identities and photos of the officers involved via social media.
In a heartfelt tribute, the family remembered Leo as “a larger-than-life character, absolutely wild, always laughing uncontrollably over the smallest of things.” The eldest of three brothers, Leo was passionate about motorbikes and pushbikes and is deeply missed by family and friends.
A Hampshire Constabulary spokesperson confirmed that officers responded to an emergency call when Leo was found collapsed in an alleyway. They noted that officers activated body-worn video at the property’s front door but deactivated it when no one answered, as per usual procedure. Body-worn cameras were used later when contact with the family was established.
The spokesperson affirmed that a referral to the IOPC was made but deemed unnecessary for further investigation. The force conducted a thorough Death or Serious Injury (DSI) review finding no evidence of criminal offences or conduct warranting disciplinary action by the officers involved. Some individual learning points were identified for professional development.
The IOPC expressed condolences to Leo’s family and affirmed their review of the case found no evidence that police actions contributed to the death. They agreed with the findings of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary’s internal review and confirmed no complaints had been submitted by the family at this time.