Mum of tragic Glasgow teen found dead blasts sick scammer who tried to con money in his memory

Mum Stephanie Bonner was heartbroken when she saw an online post pretending to raise money memory of her son.

The mum of tragic Rhys Bonner has blasted a sick scammer who tried to con money from kind-hearted well-wishers in her son's memory.

Rhys was found half naked on August 8 last year following a major search after he vanished from the Balanark area of Glasgow on July 24.

The 19-year-old's body was discovered in marsh ground between  Easterhouse  and Gartloch village.

His death was being treated by police as unexplained.

Mum Stephanie Bonner believes her son met a violent end and is waiting for an outcome of a police review into the case after complaining cops did not properly investigate.

But she was left heartbroken after a Facebook post appeared asking for £10 donations to 'help her family'.

The post from an account called Angel Los asked people to 'put their money where their mouth is' to help support the distraught Bonner family.

It read: "Ok people let's see who can put their money where their mouth is.

"As you know the absolute tragedy that Stephanie Bonner faces day after day... and it will sadly never come to an end for her and the family...

"No amount of money or cuddles or anything will bring that wee angel back but having enough money to get by, more than usual and comfortable would be a mere gesture of our thoughts and the fact that we will never forget him or let him be forgotten."

It added: "So I put to everyone that I share with please don't ignore it. I'll give details soon but please show the mother most of all but the rest of the family who hurt every time they see something that reminds them of wee Ryce (sic)...

The account then goes on to ask people to donate £10 to buy something for Rhys in his memory by sending a private message to get bank details.

Rhy's mum Stephanie confronted the scammer over social media, and the post and the profile have since been deleted.

Stephanie told the Record: "It is absolutely disgusting that someone would do this. I have never asked for a penny and I never would and I'm worried she could try this with other families.

"My friend text me in the morning to tell me that this had appeared on Facebook and I was totally shocked- I just thought 'oh my God' who would do this.

"She deleted it after some comments but it is just sick.

"I’ve never heard of her in my life... she even spelled my sons name wrong begging people to send her bank details."

She added: "I’ve never asked for a penny I just want left alone and justice for my boy.

"I've never laid eyes on her in my life- I’ve had enough between my sons killer being on the loose, the police not caring about my boy then finding my sons half naked body and dragging it.

"People need to be careful with these fundraising things and make sure they are connected to the families, this person was just out for money."

Stephanie has joined forces with Norah Connelly who is seeking answers on her son Johnny's death last year.

Norah and Stephanie believe both sons could have met violent ends but fear police have not treated their deaths as a top priority.

She has now launched a complaint about the case to the police and is awaiting the outcome.

Despite the latest setback she is thankful of the support she has received.

She said: "Everyone has been brilliant rallying round and it has been really great to get so much support."

Chief Inspector Patrick Murphy, Greater Glasgow Division, said: "Rhys' death was fully investigated by a dedicated team of officers who established no criminality. A report was submitted to the Crown and Procurator Fiscal Service.

"We are in regular contact with his family to keep them updated on any new information and keeping them fully informed is a priority for us.

"A complaint about the police has been received from Rhys' mother, therefore we are unable to comment further at this stage."