Pathologists at Belfast Coroner’s Court stated Noah Donohoe died from drowning with no evidence of involvement by another person. The 14-year-old St Malachy’s College pupil left home on his bike on June 21, 2020, to meet friends near Cavehill in north Belfast. Police reported him missing at 9.44pm that day. His body appeared six days later in a storm drain tunnel in north Belfast.

Dr Marjorie Turner conducted the post-mortem on June 27, 2020. She noted the body covered in mud-like material, with bruising on the forehead, arms, legs, hands, knees, and elbows, plus abrasions. Bruises indicated impacts from stumbles or falls inside the drain. A large volume of fluid filled the stomach, showing water ingestion before death. Toxicology tested negative for drugs. Dr Turner assessed the forehead injury as from a broad flat surface inside the drain, not a bike fall, given the helmet worn.

Dr Peter McSorley examined the body at the scene. He observed it unclothed in a police bag on roadside grass, coated in fine silt, with skin reddening on the forehead and a circular lesion on its side. No injuries suggested assault by others. The body's condition matched immersion in water for days, with death possible up to six days prior.

Professor Jack Crane and Dr Nathaniel Cary joined Dr Turner in a joint statement. They confirmed drowning as cause, with lung condition showing he entered water alive. Extensive forehead bruising occurred while alive, inconsistent with weapon use. No pathological evidence pointed to third-party violence, though not fully excluded. Death likely happened soon after disappearance, as rigor mortis had passed.

PSNI Chief Inspector Robinson reviewed police handling. Logs classified the case high risk at 12.47am on June 22, 2020. Officers handed over details, including risk assessment. CID received a request on June 23, 2020. Robinson called this early step suitable due to rising complexity and potential criminal elements.

The jury inquest, in its seventh week under Mr Justice Rooney, continues.