South Tahoe teen killed by falling tree
A missing South Lake Tahoe teenager was found dead Dec. 13, having been struck by a 50-foot tree during the storm.
Dejon Smith, 14, had been reported missing Dec. 11 from his Wildwood Avenue home.
Officers on Dec. 12 spoke to someone who had seen the teen late the night before in the wooded area behind Rancho Way. Officers searched the area to no avail.
A resident on Saturday reported finding a body about a half-mile from where officers had been looking the day before.
“There is some indication other people may have been present and we are investigating that,” Police Chief Brian Uhler told Lake Tahoe News.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the South Lake Tahoe Police Department at 530.542.6100.
— Lake Tahoe News staff report
Jeez…
What’s a 14yr old kid doing out late at night on a school night in a raging storm?! Where were the parents?
The bigger issue. If he was with someone when this happened why didn’t they call for help?
Right! I thought of that too, but am waiting for what the PD finds. It could have simply been people by there the next day and didn’t spot him. Who knows.
Gaspen Aspen, The Smith family has lost a son to a tragic accident. You need to stfu you soulless, judgemental pos.
Gaspen – Other accounts I have seen said he went out around 4:30 or after school, not late evening. And from what I remember, even though power was still out, the winds had died down by that time and the storm, while still going on, had died down.
http://www.mynews4.com/news/local/story/Tahoe-boy-found-dead/p2tzD0ug20y6Xe2gwaicgw.cspx
Logical questions Murph. Everyone is wondering it. Get over your self righteousness and stop annoying.
Gaspen, you need to get over yourself, first off it was not a school night school was canceled for friday on thursday afternoon. second you have no idea what time this accident happened it could very well have happened in the afternoon much like st theresa and the high school. Since it is obvious you do not know this most of the town was without power for 8 hrs or more. How dare you impose yourself on this families grief by questioning their parenting skills. You know nothing about this family but seem to feel it is very good for all involved to split your disgraceful thoughts.
Geez,
Mourn the tragedy! Condolences to the Family!
We can wait for any report to make any judgements, if then.
Rest in peace, Dejon. Our most sincere condolences to the family and friends. A terrible tragedy when a young life is taken regardless of the circumstance! The loss is heartbreaking.
Parker: I never JUDGED. I simply ask questions that we are all wondering about. YOU threw it into judgement.
Rolerman: I was without power as well all day and into the night. How does being without power have anything to do with what happened?
It was reported to be “late the night before”. Yes of course its tragic.
Sorry to hear of Dejon’s death. It could happen to anyone. My neighbor just missed being hit by a large limb that broke off during a high wind, a close call!
Be carefull out there and RIP Dejon and condolences to the family and friends. Bob Rockwell
Gaspen, your comments oozed judgement…
Im pretty sure the tree didn’t fall on him….information coming in seems to say he was placed under the tree after something had happened to him….this is horrible tragedy and our town is mourning him…he will be missed and always loved
FIRST of all this whole story is bs there’s way more to the story. Justice will prevail. Before asking questions that can offend someone and there family remember a mother lost her child the last thing she need is someone questioning her parenting. Come on do you have not heart…..
The most likely way that people die in the woods is from falling trees. My heart goes out to the family. Let’s let the SLTPD do their jobs before speculating on anything.
So sad. We have several places reserved to walk and be out doors when it is windy, that are not covered by trees. Let us all learn from this tragic loss.
Just in case someone wants to self reflect, I second the comment that “where were the parents?” “oozes judgement” and is not any sort of casual question. Behavior on the internet at its best….I think not!
Our deepest condolences to the family.
Dejon was well loved by his friends and family. I have hope that the truth will come out about this tragic loss of a 14 year old’s life.
Janel and tiger … What can you share in regards to what actually happened?
THIS FAMILY JUST LOST SOMEONE. SOMEONE THAT THEY LOVE AND CARE FOR WE ALL HAVE FEELING AND MAYBE THEIR ANGRY AND MAD JUST LET THEM DEAL WITH THEIR SITUATION AND IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BE THERE FOR THEM Have a littlebit of RESPECT
Hey gaping a$$hole, when I was a kid we were always running around in the woods especially during storms. We let our 15 and 16 year old kids do the same. Word is, the kids were out breaking into houses when this happened. They were scared when the accident occurred. Our kids say 2 kids were arrested at the high school today.
I am a friend to the kid that has died. I felt very bad for her losing a family member that day. I know her name to its Madlyn Smith.
The young man really was found under the tree. Based on the size and weight of the tree he could not have been placed there.
“We contacted two juveniles (Monday) who were caught toilet papering a house in the Tahoe Keys area. They were identified, counseled and released. No relationship at all to the death investigation,” SLTPD Lt. Brian Williams told LTN.
LTN staff
I went to photograph the tree today.
I must say it looks like a pretty peculiar situation.
Yo Kea did you go to the spot?
as Tahoe Turns we will never Know the Truth, I am very sorry for that Boy and his Family.
I too have lost a Child in a very peculiar situation.