A Kansas teenager died Friday while taking part in a church camp in Custer County.
According to a media release from Custer County Sheriff Shannon Byerly, deputies were contacted at 6:25 a.m. Friday for a report of a 16-year-old juvenile male who was not breathing and had no pulse.
Officials identified the teen Monday afternoon as Demarius Cox, who was visiting Sky Ranch summer camp as part of a church youth group from Hillsboro, Kan.
“We were told CPR was being conducted and emergency responders were dispatched to the camp where the young man was a visitor with his church from Hillsboro, Kansas,” Byerly said. “We regret to report the young man passed away.”
The Custer County Sheriff’s Office and the Custer County Coroner’s Office conducted a full investigation into the incident. Because Cox appeared to be healthy and there were no obvious signs of trauma, the death has been classified as suspicious until the official cause of death is determined, Byerly said.
Cox was transported to the El Paso County Coroner’s Office where an autopsy was conducted Saturday. Preliminary reports from the autopsy indicate he suffered a Pulmonary Embolism and at this time it is believed to be the cause of death.
“We are awaiting toxicology results and the final report from the medical examiner,” Byerly said. “Those results are expected to be available in two weeks.”
At this time foul play is not suspected but the investigation is ongoing until a final report on the cause of death is determined. No further information is available or being released at this time.
“Our sympathy and heartfelt prayers go out to the family and friends of the young man,” Byerly said.
