A 16-year-old Starr’s Mill High School student took his life May 21 in a wooded area near the high school campus.
Fayette County Sheriff Barry Babb said deputies were called to the teenager’s residence off Ga. Highway 74 South and near the school at approximately 12:05 a.m. Thursday and subsequently began the search.
Bloodhounds used for tracking were also brought to the location. The search led deputies to a wooded area near the school campus. Calls to the teen’s cell phone were made during the search, Babb said.
At one point during the search, at approximately 1:30 a.m., the dogs “alerted” though there was nothing to indicate a human presence, Babb said.
Searchers called the cell phone again and heard it ring above their heads, said Babb.
The body was found hanging in a tree approximately 50-60 feet off the ground and approximately 10 feet above a makeshift treehouse-like structure, said Babb.
Babb on Friday commented on the tragedy.
“Our job as investigators is to try and provide answers to questions that family and friends need. Unfortunately, we will not have them all answered,” Babb said. “Young lives are always the most precious and a tragedy like this affects so many. Take a moment this weekend and tell those around you how much you love them.”
