Clare Williamson, 64, the grandmother of murdered five-year-old Logan Mwangi, has died after falling 200ft from a cliff at Southerndown, a coastal beauty spot near Porthcawl in South Wales.
The incident occurred on June 16, 2023, with authorities treating it as a suspected suicide.
Mrs Williamson had struggled to cope with the brutal murder of her grandson Logan, whom she described as “the apple of her eye” during court testimony. The boy was killed by his mother Angharad Williamson, stepfather John Cole, and teenager Craig Mulligan in July 2021.
Prison authorities intercepted a letter from Mrs Williamson to her daughter in jail, in which she allegedly expressed her intention to end her life.
She contacted South Wales Police at 8.35am on June 16 saying she intended to end her life,” a source familiar with the investigation said. By the time officers arrived at the Southerndown location, Mrs Williamson had already fallen.
The tragedy comes nearly two years after five-year-old Logan’s body was discovered in the River Ogmore in Bridgend. He had suffered 56 external injuries and catastrophic internal damage.
During the 2022 murder trial at Cardiff Crown Court, Mrs Williamson testified that Logan was a joy to be around. She attended most days of the 10-week proceedings.
No,” she had told the court when asked if Logan was the type of boy to wander off in the night.
Despite a rift in their relationship, Mrs Williamson was the first person her daughter called after Logan’s body was discovered. She supported Angharad at the hospital, later testifying that her daughter appeared to be in complete shock.
The three defendants initially claimed Logan had gone to the river alone during the night. However, CCTV footage showed Cole and Mulligan carrying the boy’s body from the house.
All three were convicted of murder in April 2022. Angharad Williamson received a minimum 28-year life sentence, Cole was given 29 years, and Mulligan 15 years.
Angharad’s appeal against her conviction was rejected in January 2023.
Mrs Williamson never spoke publicly following the trial but was known to be devastated by her grandson’s death and her daughter’s imprisonment for the crime.
At a brief inquest hearing, Mrs Williamson’s son Lloyd formally identified her body. Assistant South Wales coroner Rachel Knight offered condolences to the family “at this sad time.
The inquest has been adjourned while inquiries continue. Logan’s name was not mentioned during the proceedings.
The case highlighted failures in child protection services, with Logan having been removed from the child protection register just one month before his death.
