Mylo Capilla’s mum pays tribute to ‘precious boy’ who died in Tees

These are the words of the heartbroken mother of Mylo Capilla, who sadly drowned in the River Tees after drinking with friends last summer. 

The 13-year-old, who in his short life had overcome stage four cancer, had gone down to the ‘Muddies’ in Ingleby Barwick on June 27 when tragedy struck. 

Mylo decided to enter the River Tees after drinking what would be more than three times the drink drive limit when he got into difficulty and vanished. 

A desperate search was launched but the following day his body was recovered from the river. 

Following an inquest into his death concluding that he drowned after consuming a significant amount of alcohol, Mylo’s mother has issued a heartbreaking statement saying he “was and always will be my precious boy”. 

She also warned others of the dangers of drinking alcohol near water, saying to parents to “hold your babies close no matter how old they are”. 

Mylo Capilla (Image: FAMILY PIC)

She said: “As Mylo’s mum, there are no words that truly capture what we’ve lost. 

“My beautiful boy had a short life and he faced more challenges than many do in a lifetime, but he lived every single day to the fullest. 

“He was funny, full of energy, and had a way of lighting up a room the moment he walked into it. He felt everything deeply, loved fiercely, and touched the heart of everyone he ever met.

“Hearing the conclusion that he drowned, with alcohol playing a part, has broken our hearts beyond words.

“If I could say one thing to other parents, it would be this: hold your babies close, no matter how old they are. Tell them you love them. 

Mylo Capilla (Image: FAMILY PIC)

“And please, please take water safety and the risks of alcohol seriously. We will carry Mylo with us for the rest of our lives. He was, and always will be, my precious boy.”

‘One of a kind’

Mylo’s father Daniel Capilla also described his son as “truly one of a kind” in a statement read out at the inquest at Teesside Coroners’ Court on Tuesday (February 17). 

He said Mylo was “always ready to wrap you in one of his famous hugs” and he “always knew what to give and he gave it freely”.

Daniel said he still remembers their final exchange, where Mylo gave him a hug and said “love you Papa” before he left the house. 

Mylo Capilla (Image: FAMILY PIC)

The inquest heard how Mylo went down to the ‘Muddies’, near Ramsey Gardens in the Round Hill area of the estate, with the intention of building the den. 

Mylo, who had a bottle of vodka and gin in his bag, had texted a pal just after 6pm saying “I may have had too much vodka”. 

After concerns were raised about him and a search was launched, officers arrived and found Mylo’s bike and phone close to the scene. 

Tributes left for Mylo Capilla (Image: The Northern Echo)

Detective Chief Inspector David Snaith said his friend had been found “covered in mud and slightly intoxicated” and confirmed that they had been drinking and gone into the river. 

Toxicology tests revealed that Mylo had a “very high level of alcohol in his blood” which would have caused a “significant degree of intoxication”. 

This may have inhibited his attempts to save himself, the inquest heard. 

He was found to have a blood alcohol reading of 288mg per 100ml, which is more than three times above the drink driving limit. 

There were no drugs found in his system.