The family of a prisoner found dead in his cell say they have been ‘left in the dark’ by authorities investigating the incident more than seven months on.
Ace Wilson, 25, from Harrogate, was a serving prisoner at HMP Leeds when he ‘suddenly and unexpectedly’ died on June 14, 2025.
An inquest was opened in July, while there are ongoing investigations by both West Yorkshire Police and the Prison and Probation Ombudsman.
At the opening hearing, Wakefield Coroners’ Court was told that Ace had been found unresponsive in his cell. A paramedic from Yorkshire Ambulance Service certified his death at 2pm that day.
The inquest also heard that further medical examinations, including toxicology and cardiac pathology, would be undertaken.
But Mr Wilson’s family say they have been given few updates since and they ‘remain without answers’, including the exact cause or the circumstances leading up to his death.
The family say they are also devastated that having laid Leeds-born Mr Wilson to rest in August, his heart and brain have yet to be returned by the medical examiner – even though they were told the process should not take longer than 10 weeks.
His anguished uncle, John Vowles, told Daily Mail: ‘There’s been little communication from the police or the ombudsman about what is going on.
Ace Wilson, 25, from Harrogate, was a serving prisoner at HMP Leeds when he ‘suddenly and unexpectedly’ died on June 14, 2025
Ace Wilson’s family say they have been ‘left in the dark’ by authorities investigating the incident more than seven months on. Pictured: Ace with his mother Adelle
Several investigations are underway into the death at HMP Leeds in Armley (pictured), including by the Prison and Probation Ombudsman
‘We’ve been very co-operative with the process, but now it feels like we are hitting a brick wall. We’ve had no answers’.
Mr Wilson’s mother, Adelle Deighton, said the family are ‘simply seeking truth’.
She said: ‘More than seven months later, our family still does not have a confirmed cause of death.
‘Despite repeated assurances that investigations and specialist medical examinations were underway, we have received little meaningful information and no clear explanation for the delays.
‘We have been told at different points that further information exists, yet nothing substantive has been shared with us.
‘Key timelines that were formally provided to us have passed without update, and we remain without answers.
‘As a bereaved family, we fully respect the need for thorough and independent investigations, and we are not seeking to pre-empt their findings.
‘However, the prolonged lack of communication and absence of basic information has added significantly to our distress.
‘We are simply seeking truth’: Ace’s family say they are still awaiting a confirmed cause of death and are still awaiting the return of his organs from the medical examiner
It is understood that after Daily Mail contacted authorities, the family are due to be given an update in coming days. Pictured: Ace with his mother Adelle as a child
‘We believe it is in the public interest for transparency to exist when someone dies in state custody.
‘Families should not be left for months without clear communication, particularly in circumstances where the state had a duty of care.
‘We are simply seeking truth, accountability, and clarity about what happened to our son. Nothing more, and nothing less.’
A Prison Service spokesperson told Daily Mail: ‘The police will investigate and, as with all deaths in custody, so will the Prison and Probation Ombudsman. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.’
West Yorkshire Police meanwhile said: ‘The investigation into the death of Ace Wilson at HMP Leeds on 14 June 2025 remains ongoing, and family liaison officers are maintaining regular contact with his family.’
It is understood that after Daily Mail contacted authorities, the family are due to be given an update in coming days.
The inquest into Mr Wilson’s death has been adjourned to a later date.
Daily Mail has also contacted the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman for comment.
