More than three months after teenager James Dougherty died his parents are still asking...

The grieving parents of a teenager who died suddenly more than three months ago are still waiting to be told the cause of his death.

Chef James Dougherty, 18, of Richard Street, Barry, fell asleep and died in the bedroom of his home on February 13.

Extensive post-mortem tests have failed to determine the cause of his death, and it could be another eight months before any final conclusion is reached.

Meanwhile his parents say they will be unable to grieve properly until they know “why our baby was taken from us”.

Yesterday, the pub where James worked held a fund-raising event for the Cardiac Risk in the Young charity, which carries out research into why young people can die suddenly and without apparent cause.

The event was attended by James’ parents, 47-year-old health and safety adviser Richard and his wife Patricia, 47.  Three of his friends, who took part in a sponsored run, were also there.

Speaking at the event at the Old College Inn, in Barry, Richard told how he and paramedics had battled to resuscitate James after he had fallen unconscious.

Richard said: “James had complained of a sore throat but it wasn’t serious and he was still planning to go to Cardiff with friends that evening.”

But that evening James had fallen asleep in his bedroom and attempts to revive him by his father, who is trained in first aid, and paramedics proved inconclusive, and samples of James’ lung tissue are now with experts for further study.

Richard said: “We might not know why he died until next February.  We are supporting CRY which is trying to stop this happening to others.  This has been totally devastating for us.”

Patricia said: “My memory of James is of the love and affection he gave.  He was just a nice person.  We have had our baby snatched from us and we don’t know why.”