Dylan Freeman: Mother ‘called friend to say she had killed son’, inquest hears

Severely disabled 10 year old was found dead at his home in Acton, London, on 16 August

Court artist sketch of Olga Freeman, 40, appearing at the Old Bailey, London, charged with murdering her son Dylan Freeman, 10, at their home in Cumberland Park, Acton, west London on 16 August 2020. (Elizabeth Cook/PA)

A mother accused of murdering her severely disabled son called a friend to tell them what she had done, an inquest has heard.

Ten-year-old Dylan Freeman, who had autism and Cohen syndrome, was found dead at his home in Acton, London, on 16 August.

West London Coroner’s Court on Tuesday heard Dylan died after his airways were restricted.

His mother and primary carer, Olga Freeman, appeared at the Old Bailey last week accused of his murder.

Senior coroner Chinyere Inyama said Ms Freeman had recently been prescribed antidepressant tablets.

He added: “[Dylan’s] mother called a friend in the early hours to state to the friend that she killed her son.”

Mr Inyama said the mother and her friend went to Acton police station in west London and told them what had happened.

Police and paramedics went to Dylan’s home in Cumberland Park, where he was found dead.

The coroner said it appeared he had been administered a sleeping aid.

His body was identified four days later by his headteacher.

The preliminary cause of death was given as restriction of the airways.

There was no other evidence of injuries caused by assault or restraint, the coroner said during the eight-minute hearing.

Mr Inyama adjourned the inquest until March 2021, pending the outcome of any legal proceedings.

Dylan’s father and Ms Freeman’s ex-husband, celebrity photographer Dean Freeman, last week described his son as “a beautiful, bright, inquisitive and artistic child who loved to travel, visit art galleries and swim”.

Ms Freeman is due to appear for a plea and trial preparation hearing at the Old Bailey on 4 November.

Additional reporting by Press Association