Hundreds gather in Irvine to release balloons in memory of murdered teenager Kayden Moy

Hundreds of people gathered to release balloons on Saturday evening to pay tribute to murdered teenager Kayden Moy.

The 16-year-old was fatally stabbed at Irvine beach in North Ayrshire more than a year ago when a warm spring day with friends turned into violence after rival groups clashed.

Kayden’s family, friends, loved ones, and people from the community gathered at Irvine Boating Pond, near the site of the fatal incident, at 7pm on July 11 to release a sea of balloons to remember the teenager.

Those who gathered were urged to wear green in honour of Kayden, and flares filled the sky with green smoke as his emotional father, Paul Moy, watched on.

The event was organised by locals in Irvine who wanted to commemorate Kayden.

Speaking to STV News, Mr Moy described the event as “emotional”.

Kayden's father, Paul Moy, was in attendance. — Kayden’s father, Paul Moy, was in attendance. STV News

“Tonight will be a good memory,” he said, “It’s been an excellent turn out, a great turnout. I was quite overwhelmed when I appeared and I seen the amount of traffic building up.

“Obviously every time I come out it brings back that night.”

Two teenagers were found guilty of Kayden’s murder at the High Court in Glasgow last month.

Balloons filled the sky on Saturday in memory of Kayden STV News

A 15-year-old boy, who can’t be named for legal reasons, and co-accused Jay Stewart, 18, stood trial accused of killing him at Irvine Beach on May 17, 2025.

Cole Turley, 18, had previously pleaded guilty to the murder before the trial started.

Stewart and the 15-year-old, while acting with Turley, were accused of pursuing Kayden and caused him to fall to the ground before they repeatedly stabbed him to the body.

Stewart and the 15-year-old had lodged a special defence of incrimination against Turley.

But the jury returned a unanimous verdict of murder for Stewart, and a majority verdict of murder for the 15-year-old

Jurors had determined the duo acted alongside Turley when committing the murder.

Judge Lord Scott deferred sentence on Turley, Stewart and the 15-year-old pending the preparation of background reports.

They are due to be sentenced this month.