Teen Dies After "Shooting Himself"

The family of a teenager found dead in his home in Cobham have paid tribute to a 'one in a million son.'


Kent Police was called at 10.30pm on Friday 8 March to reports of a sudden death at an address in the village, which is being treated as non-suspicious.

Charlie Booth, 16, of Watling Street, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Charlie, who attended Gad's Hill School in Higham, was a keen member of the Cadet force and also represented the school at cross-country, rugby and hockey. He had previously played rugby for Gravesend RFC as a young boy and had a keen interest in cricket.

He had also helped raise several thousand pounds through a number of fundraising events with family and friends to help fund a school trip to Alaska in July, which he was really looking forward to.  

A family tribute read: "As a son he was a very loving boy that had a very supportive family, not just his parents, but his aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents. He thought the world of them and we all thought the world of him.

"He was just a typical country boy that enjoyed school life, loved outdoor pursuits and he fully embraced the country lifestyle.

"Charlie was one in a million, very popular and well-liked, and was quite simply our beautiful boy." 

Charlie leaves behind parents Nick, 52, Julia, 48, and 12 year old sister, Harriet.  

Kent Police can confirm that an officer had been in contact with the family in relation to an incident earlier on Friday 8 March. There was no ongoing criminal or pending investigation and the matter was resolved at the meeting, however, as there was police contact the matter has been routinely referred to the IPCC.