Prince William consoled a bereaved schoolboy yesterday during their charity visit to Lancashire.
Deacon Glover (11 years old) from Burnley lost Grace Taylor (28) on January 15, 2021, after Grace was discovered dead in her bedroom by her partner. She had overdosed on heroin and methadone as well as prescription medication.
An inquest is held Accrington Town Hall in July, Coroner Richard Taylor told how Grace had been taking drugs with boyfriend Sean Hargreaves in a separate room before he found her body and was unable to rouse her.
According to the Lancashire Telegraph, Sean tried to contact Grace’s grandmother Carole and went to her house for help, before returning home and calling 999.
Grace was found to have potentially fatal amounts of heroin, methadone and mirtazipine in her system, as well as olanzapine (cocaine), cocaine, and amphetamines, according to a toxicology report.
Grace was a heroin addict who lived an erratic life with unruly behavior and spent a lot of time in prison.
Deacon recently posted on Facebook a picture of his mother. He wrote, “Not one day goes by that I don’t think about you.” Your heart is always with me
During a visit to Burnley yesterday, Prince William, 39, who lost his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997, when he was 15, told Deacon ‘I know how you feel’ and ‘it gets easier.’
The royal couple spoke to the boy and Carole for about fifteen minutes during their visit to Church on the Street Burnley. This centre helps those who are struggling with homelessness, poverty or addiction.
Deacon Glover, 11, from Burnley, was comforted by Prince William yesterday as they discussed losing their mothers during a charity visit in Lancashire (pictured)
Deacon, who was 28 at the time, lost Grace Taylor on January 15th 2021. She had been found dead from an overdose on heroin and methadone (pictured).
Grace, a drug addict, lived a chaotic lifestyle that included periods in prison and home. Deacon may have lived alongside Grace, but it is unknown if he did.
A court heard her 2014 conduct and banned her from Grandmother Carole’s house.
She was 21 years old when she was discovered with a large knife in her right arm, stuffed into the left sleeve.
The Lancashire Telegraph reported that the woman had written messages to her morning informing her she would ‘go round and bashing’ her.
The defense argued that she was crying out for help and supervision long-term.
Her sentence was stayed by Judge Beverley Lunt said it was the only opportunity she could have.
Grace was a heroin addict who lived an erratic life with unruly behavior and spent a lot of time in prison.
Instead, she received eight months in custody, suspended for two years, with 12 months supervision and a six months drugs programme. She was also charged with paying a £100 statutory surcharge.
Meanwhile in 2017, Burnley magistrates heard how Grace struck Boots security guard Anthony King, four or five times in the face when she was caught shoplifting.
The Burnley Express reports that she confessed to the theft four gift sets worth £114 from Boots as well as items worth £26 from Wilko’s.
She also admitted to the theft of sweets to the value of £6 from B and M Bargains and chocolate worth £30 from Poundstretcher.
She was still living at the time with her heroin-addicted partner and was without any income.
According to the solicitor, she said that the client is living off food parcels and support from family and friends.
And in 2018, Grace pleaded guilty to stealing three handbags worth £229 from TK Maxx.
To finance her heroin addiction, she had taken the bags.
Carole, Deacon and Grace were pictured during an inquest into Grace’s death.
The Telegraph and Argus both reported that the defense said she was motivated to make changes.
On the evening of her death, Grace had her home to go to the supermarket to buy some food but, finding the shop closed, picked up some heroin for herself and her partner Sean.
Taylor stated to the coroner that Sean had said they’d usually do drugs in separate doses and Grace went upstairs, while Sean stayed downstairs.
Later, he found Grace sprawled on Grace’s bed. He said it was 4 AM, though he wasn’t sure if it was night or morning.
Sean Hargreaves found her mother-of-one who had been in and out prison throughout her entire life.
According to the coroner, Sean thought Grace was sleeping but was unable wake her up after awakening the following morning.
She did not intend to end her life and there was no evidence of her intent. Her death was recorded as drug-related.
Carole, who met with the Cambridge’s during yesterday’s visit also called her granddaughter “vivacious, caring, and very loving.”
She explained that she believes drugs can be harmful …’She began using drugs when she was with Sean and it is our wish for her to go home now.
Sean found Grace’s body and tried to reach Grace’s grandmother Carole. He went to Carole’s house and asked for her help. After returning home, he called 999. (Blick, Carole with Deacon).
Grace’s mom Samone wrote a tribute on Facebook to her daughter, one year after her death.
She wrote: ‘Grace Taylor you was given your angel wings I was devastated and you’ve left a massive hole in my life where you once fitted.
‘My life changed that day and it will never be the the same…Thinking of you my sweet girl R.I.P.
“You will not be forgotten.”
Deacon is open to sharing his sorrow on social media. Recently, he posted a photo of his mom and an emotional message on Facebook (pictured).
William, a fan of Aston Villa, talked to the 11 year-old schoolboy over football. But the Burnley shirt-wearing youngster was not impressed at all.
“He believed it was a soccer player coming here, so he was devastated when he learned it was William & Kate,” one volunteer from the centre stated.
However, he began to become more talkative as William inquired about Burnley’s prospects. He pointed out his father Prince of Wales had been a supporter of Burnley after directing some charities that work in the area.
He stated that he only learned about Burnley from his father a few decades ago.
Deacon, his great-grandmother and Deacon were informed by him that he hopes his children will support Aston Villa. He stated, “I have to spread the love somewhat.”
William shared with the eleven-year-old grieving child that he was aware of his emotions and explained that the loss of a parent can be overcome.
William and Kate visited Burnley following seeing TV reports on the ministry of Pastor Mick Fleming. Church on the Street was established in 2019 in Burnley to aid the homeless and the disadvantaged.
The project has expanded and now the Church is located in an old gym. It offers sanctuary and safety for those who are struggling and people with mental illness.
It is funded by donations and provides food banks, clothes banks, hot showers and laundry as well as access to qualified counsellors and safe spaces for 200 people.
Pastor Mick leads the church’s services and said he hoped that the visitors would provide more support for those who use his services.
Prince William (right) pictured with young brother Prince Harry and their mother Diana, Princess Of Wales, who died in 1997 when the boys were 15 and 12
They said that they saw a BBC report about our work and thought it was very inspiring.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to let more people know about our work and get more support from their royal highnesses.
“We depend on donations, and don’t charge any fees for our services.”
FRANK provides support services that provide information and advice to people using drugs. FRANK is available at 0300123666600.