Inquest opens after five-year-old boy dies at home

Lincoln Button was described as always happy and "a bit cheeky" by his family

An inquest has opened into the death of a five-year-old boy found unresponsive at home.

Lincoln Button died 10 days before Christmas in South Ockendon, Essex.

His mother Claire Button, 35, of Windstar Drive in South Ockendon, has been charged with his murder.

A brief hearing at Essex coroner's court on Wednesday was told Lincoln's cause of death was "undetermined pending further investigations".

Coroner's officer Linsey Chaffe said the boy was found unresponsive at his home address.

"An ambulance was called, paramedics arrived but despite all efforts, Lincoln passed away," she added.

A fundraiser to cover Lincoln's funeral costs surpassed £8,000 in donations

Coroner Sonia Hayes adjourned the inquest until the criminal investigation into Ms Button concluded.

She offered her "sincere condolences to the friends and family" of Lincoln during the hearing in Chelmsford.

'All-round happy kid'

Jamie Warren previously said "life will be forever different now" for his cousin Nicky, who is Lincoln's father.

Mr Warren said Lincoln was autistic and non-verbal and was "a bit cheeky".

"He was an all-round happy kid, who loved his toys," said the 32-year-old, speaking to the BBC.

"He really liked rainbows, Yorkshire puddings, trains and buses."

A fundraiser to cover Lincoln's funeral costs was set up a week after his death and raised more than £8,000.