The family of an inmate who died in prison say they’ve been ‘kept in the dark’ for seven months and still haven’t been able to bury him whole because his heart hasn’t been returned.

The family of a prisoner who died in his cell say they have been “left in the dark” by authorities more than seven months after the incident.

Ace Wilson, 25, from Harrogate, was serving time at HMP Leeds when he “suddenly and unexpectedly” died on June 14, 2025. An inquest was opened in July, while investigations are ongoing by West Yorkshire Police and the Prison and Probation Ombudsman.

At the inquest’s opening hearing at Wakefield Coroners’ Court, it was revealed that Ace had been found unresponsive in his cell. A paramedic from Yorkshire Ambulance Service certified his death at 2pm that day. The court also heard that further medical examinations, including toxicology and cardiac pathology, were planned.

However, Mr Wilson’s family say they have received few updates and remain without answers about the cause or circumstances of his death. They are also distressed that, despite burying Leeds-born Ace in August, his heart and brain have yet to be returned by the medical examiner—well beyond the expected 10-week timeframe.

His uncle, John Vowles, told the Daily Mail: “There’s been little communication from the police or the ombudsman. We’ve been very cooperative, 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 is “simply seeking truth.” She added:

“More than seven months later, we still do not have a confirmed cause of death. Despite repeated assurances that investigations and specialist medical tests were underway, we’ve received little meaningful information. Timelines given to us have passed, yet no updates have been provided.

“As a bereaved family, we fully respect the need for thorough and independent investigations. But the prolonged lack of communication and absence of basic information has added significantly to our distress.

“We believe it is in the public interest for transparency when someone dies in state custody. Families should not be left for months without clear communication, particularly when the state had a duty of care. We are simply seeking truth, accountability, and clarity about what happened to our son. Nothing more, nothing less.”

A Prison Service spokesperson said: “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 confirmed the investigation into Ace Wilson’s death remains ongoing and that family liaison officers are in regular contact with the family. After inquiries from the Daily Mail, the family is expected to receive an update in the coming days.

The inquest into Mr Wilson’s death has been adjourned to a later date.