Bobby Beale killed Lucy Beale by hitting her on the head with a jewellery box in a moment of frustration during a confrontation at home. He was only 10 years old at the time and did not initially realize that his blow had caused her death. The jewellery box was something Lucy used to store cocaine, which added to the tension. After the incident, Bobby's adoptive mother, Jane Beale, covered for him by moving Lucy's body to Walford Common and convincing Bobby that he was not responsible for Lucy's death, making him believe Lucy had gone out after their argument and was killed by someone else. Bobby's attack was described as a lashing out after failing to get through to Lucy, who had been causing trouble and arguing loudly that night. The blow caused a head injury that led to Lucy's death
. Later, Bobby confessed to the killing publicly and was charged with unlawful killing, eventually being sentenced to three years in a young offenders institution
