Cause of death for Bronson Battersby announced: 2-year-old boy found dead next to his father’s body

Lincolnshire Police previously told PEOPLE that the 2-year-old boy and his 60-year-old father, Kenneth Battersby, were found dead in a house on January 9.

The cause of death of Bronson Battersby, the two-year-old boy found dead next to his father in January, has been announced.

During a hearing at Greater Lincolnshire Coroner’s Court on Thursday 6 June, it was revealed that a post-mortem examination found Bronson died of dehydration. The guardSky News and The Telegraph.

The child also appeared to be “severely malnourished,” The guard and Sky News.

Lincolnshire Police previously told PEOPLE that the boy and his 60-year-old father, Kenneth Battersby, were found dead next to each other in a house on Prince Alfred Avenue in the town of Skegness on January 9.

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A social worker – who did not have the legal authority to force entry into the property – was scheduled to meet with father and son on January 2 but was unable to make contact with them, according to a statement previously obtained by PEOPLE from Lincolnshire County Council.

Two days later, they attempted an unannounced visit and contacted the police after again failing to make contact with them.

On January 9, the social worker gained access to the apartment and the bodies of the two were found there.

Officials said at the time that initial findings indicated the boy’s father had died of a heart attack.

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Bronson lived in a basement apartment with his father, who had separated from the child’s mother. The guard and Sky News reported. The father is said to have said before the child’s death that he had “had difficulty coping with the child”.

Kenneth’s body was found on the floor next to the living room door, according to The Telegraph. A malnourished dog was also reportedly found in the apartment.The guard.

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A six-month independent investigation into the two deaths is now to be carried out, according to The Telegraph.

“It is important that we take the time to fully investigate the circumstances of this tragic incident and identify any improvements we can make,” said Chris Cook, independent chair of the Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Partnership.

When we contacted police on Thursday, June 6, they said they were unable to provide any further information due to ongoing investigations. PEOPLE has also contacted Greater Lincolnshire Coroner’s Court.

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