No evidence that Archie Battersbee was taking part in online ‘blackout challenge’

Archie Battersbee (Hollie Dance/PA)

A coroner has said he has seen no evidence that Archie Battersbee was taking part in a viral online ‘blackout challenge’ as a hearing was told that police have found messages on the 12-year-old’s phone reflecting “very low mood”.

The details emerged on Tuesday at a pre-inquest review hearing in Chelmsford, England, where Archie’s mother, Hollie Dance, urged Essex’s senior coroner, Lincoln Brookes, to examine what role TikTok videos and a viral internet challenge may have played in his tragic death this summer.

Ms Dance, who is being represented by a legal team, including Cork-based barrister, Doireann O’Mahony, had urged the coroner to consider making TikTok an ‘interested party’ at the full inquest hearing.

But the coroner said: “There’s no evidence at this stage to substantiate the concern, the fear of Ms Dance, about the choking challenge or the blackout challenge, whether on TikTok or frankly on any other platform or provider.” 

Ms Dance found Archie unconscious with a ligature over his head at home in Southend in Essex on April 7. His life support was withdrawn on August 6 after she, and Archie's father, Paul Battersbee, failed in a lengthy and high-profile legal battle to overturn a High Court ruling that doctors could lawfully do so.

In written legal submissions to the pre-hearing, Ms Dance’s legal team said she believes that Archie was "influenced, persuaded or peer-pressured" online into taking part in the ‘blackout challenge’ which was available TikTok.

They said at least 82 other young children have died, apparently in similar circumstances in the USA.

But after considering the written submissions and various oral submissions during Tuesday’s hearing, Mr Brookes said there was “no evidence at this stage to substantiate the concern”.

Detective Inspector Sarah Weeks of Essex Police, said following a police download of Archie's phone, there are no photographs or videos on the download that suggest Archie was taking part in any online challenge.

“There’s no evidence of Archie filming any videos on the day of the incident,” she said.

She said that Archie accessed YouTube “regularly” and most of his search terms were about “MMA fighters, boxing or music videos”.

She said that Archie had the TikTok social media app on his phone and he was “using and accessing TikTok” on April 7, but there was “no evidence” to suggest he was taking part in an online challenge.

However, she said a “full forensic download” of his phone found a series of messages "which reflect Archie’s mood".

"This has only been received this morning so we will look to prepare a full report,” she said.

Mr Brookes, said: “It’s low mood we’re looking at here, very low mood.” Ms O’Mahony said the hearing was also told that Archie’s iPad and X-Box require further examination.

Ms Dance will now prepare a detailed deposition for the full hearing by November 22.

Mr Brooke said the topics that the full inquest will cover will include Archie’s medical cause of death and his “state of mind and his intentions on April 7 2022”.

A full inquest, due to last one day, has been set for February 7, 2023.