AUBURN — Police are investigating the death of a 15-year-old who was found unresponsive at the YMCA of Auburn-Lewiston last Friday.
Chief Jason Moen said the cause of death is still undetermined, but does not appear to be suspicious. The Medical Examiner’s Office is assisting in the investigation, said Moen.
Edward Little High School Principal Scott Annear shared the news with administrators and faculty on Saturday as the victim previously attended Auburn Middle School and ELHS and students are likely to have known them. Guidance Director MaryBeth Galway sent a second email to help ELHS staff provide support to their students.
Nothing more is being shared at this time.
Editor’s note: On Tuesday, Nov. 15, YMCA of Auburn-Lewiston Chief Executive Officer Steven Wallace shared the message below with supporters of the Y:
As some of you may have seen on TV or read in the newspaper, our Y family experienced a tragedy last week. While I cannot give you full details, I do want to give you a bit more clarity on the situation.
On Friday, November 11th, at approximately 8 p.m., a young man was found unresponsive at our 62 Turner Street location. Within minutes of discovery, Y staff contacted emergency responders and started lifesaving efforts. By 8:05 p.m., both police and EMS personnel arrived and took over resuscitation measures. Unfortunately, the young man had already passed.
We do not know, nor will we speculate, his cause of death. We are cooperating with police and medical personnel as they continue to investigate the details of his passing.
First and foremost, our sympathy and condolences go out to the family and friends of this young man. Words cannot express the emotions they are feeling right now; their loss is unimaginable. Our entire YMCA family joins them in their grief.
Secondly, we are offering services to our staff and the young member who responded to this event. Their level-headedness and fierce determination to try and save this young man’s life is commendable. It takes valor to walk toward an uncomfortable situation – our folks, along with the police and emergency responders, ran toward it. I am both proud of, and humbled by, their bravery.
Many people have asked, “How is everyone doing?” I will be candid and tell you the staff and leadership of the YMCA of Auburn-Lewiston are not taking this well. We are sad; we are mad; and we know more needs to be done to provide services to teens in the Greater Lewiston-Auburn area. While we could not have prevented this tragic event from happening, I promise you we will do everything we can to prevent if from happening again.
In closing, I leave you with a quote I have found comfort in over the past several days. Anna White writes, “It is the capacity to feel consuming grief and pain and despair that also allows me to embrace love and joy and beauty with my whole heart. I must let it all in.”
Today, our Y family mourns. Very soon, with our whole being, we’re going to take the issue of our youth feeling unseen, unheard, and helpless head on!
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