A single photograph has become one of the most controversial pieces of evidence in the long-running mystery surrounding the death of 14-year-old Belfast schoolboy Noah Donohoe. His mother, Fiona Donohoe, has repeatedly claimed the image shows her son’s mobile phone was still being used—or at least held—by someone else after the last confirmed sighting of Noah alive on June 25, 2020. The photo, which Fiona has described publicly and submitted to investigators, reportedly captures a location or movement timestamp that places the device somewhere Noah could not have reached given his final known movements and the time of his disappearance.

Noah was last seen on CCTV cycling through north Belfast, with the final haunting clip showing him riding completely naked—an act his family, friends and witnesses described as completely out of character. Six days later his body was found inside a storm drain in the Duncairn Gardens area. The discovery triggered immediate questions about how he entered the drain, whether he was alone, and why initial searches failed to locate him. Fiona Donohoe has campaigned tirelessly ever since, alleging investigative failures, withheld evidence and inconsistencies in the timeline.

According to Fiona, the photograph in question shows data or metadata linked to Noah’s phone that indicates activity after the point he was believed to have entered the storm drain. She has claimed the image proves the device was moved or used by another person—potentially someone who had contact with Noah in his final moments or who gained possession of the phone afterward. Fiona has suggested this could point to foul play or at least indicate that Noah did not act entirely alone in his last hours. The photo has never been publicly released in full due to the ongoing inquest and police investigation, but Fiona has referenced it multiple times in media interviews, social media posts and statements to authorities.

The inquest at Laganside Courthouse has examined phone data alongside CCTV footage, witness statements and forensic evidence. Records show Noah’s phone was active in the hours after he left home but eventually went silent. Fiona has argued that certain pings, cell tower connections or location data points—possibly visualised in the photograph—place the device in a location or on a trajectory inconsistent with Noah’s known path and physical state. She has questioned why this evidence was not pursued more aggressively and whether it was properly analysed for signs of third-party involvement.

Friends who testified described Noah as exceptionally bright, sociable and free of obvious mental health red flags. Charlie Rocks, his best friend, called him “the nicest, friendliest, funniest person” and said Noah was excited for life after lockdown. No evidence emerged of fascination with storm drains, tunnels or underground spaces. Yet the contrast remains stark: Noah’s mother found him crying alone in his bedroom that afternoon, while his friends insist he appeared happy and normal in their interactions.

The photograph’s significance lies in its potential to challenge the prevailing narrative that Noah’s death was a tragic misadventure or suicide. Fiona has maintained that key pieces of the puzzle—including full phone data, unredacted CCTV and forensic examination of the storm drain—have been withheld or inadequately explained. She has pointed to delays in releasing evidence, gaps in CCTV coverage and perceived reluctance to explore third-party involvement.

Police and the coroner have maintained that all available evidence has been examined. The inquest heard no conclusive proof from the photograph that definitively shows another person handling the phone after Noah’s last sighting. Metadata analysis, cell-site information and device logs have been reviewed, but no public finding has confirmed foul play. The coroner has continued to appeal for any additional information that could clarify the timeline, particularly around the phone’s movements and Noah’s final location.

The case has gripped Northern Ireland for years. Massive searches followed Noah’s disappearance, followed by public protests in 2022 and 2025 demanding transparency. Fiona founded The Noah Donohoe Foundation to advocate for better mental health support for young people and stronger child protection measures. The photograph she claims as proof has become symbolic for supporters who believe the official account leaves too many questions unanswered.

As the inquest continues into 2026, the jury must weigh fragmented CCTV, witness testimony, forensic reports on the storm drain and telecommunications data—including any relevant images or logs. The single photo Fiona holds as crucial evidence remains unseen by the public, yet its existence fuels ongoing debate: was Noah entirely alone in his final moments, or does the image hint at someone else who had his phone after he could no longer hold it?

For Fiona Donohoe, the photograph is more than a piece of evidence—it is a mother’s refusal to accept an incomplete story. Whether it ultimately alters the inquest’s findings or remains an unresolved element in one of Northern Ireland’s most heartbreaking mysteries, it continues to keep the case alive in the public conscience. Noah is remembered by those who knew him as intelligent, kind, curious and full of potential—a boy whose sudden disappearance and tragic death left a city searching for answers that may never fully satisfy.