By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – The Chehalis Police Department has an idea about how he died and feels “pretty positive” he is the missing 16-year-old Camas boy, but are awaiting word from the coroner in regards to the body discovered inside a car parked at the Twin City Town Center late Friday afternoon.
Department spokesperson Linda Bailey this morning called the death a tragedy.
Cole Burbank, 16, of Camas, was reported missing by his parents on April 13 and the Camas Police Department issued a missing person report to the public hoping to locate him and his black 2010 Honda Accord. An intense investigation to find him as quickly as possible began immediately, according to police.
Chehalis police responded about 5:30 p.m. on Friday to the shopping center on Northwest Louisiana Avenue in Chehalis, following a phone call from someone Bailey said she believed was a friend of the family who had located the vehicle.
“I do understand Camas sent a team up to assist with … to process the scene,” Bailey said.
It doesn’t appear police are looking for any suspect. Bailey said if police thought there was a danger element to the public, she would have already made such an announcement.
Officers have an idea of how he died, “but we aren’t going to say that until we get an autopsy report,” Bailey said.
An autopsy is being conducted today, she said.
The car was found in the parking lot east of the auto parts store and closer to Security State Bank. Bailey said she had not yet heard if detectives have determined how long the car was there.
Further information is expected to be released by the Lewis County Coroner’s Office, which has the responsibility to positively identify him and find the cause and manner of his death.
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For background read “Male found dead inside missing teen’s car in Chehalis” from Saturday April 22, 2017, here
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
Why the secrecy regarding the Camas teen found dead in Lewis County
Umm, just because someone doesn’t “use drugs”, doesn’t mean that they cant use a toxic level or combination of drugs to end their life. If the police or family felt there was foul play, they would be searching or investigating persons who may be involved.
It’s not drugs his smule account says he doesn’t do drugs music is his drug so if drugs are involved so is foul play just saying!!!!
So very sad. A missing young man lying dead for a week in a busy Chehalis parking lot for over a week. How sad.
The outopsy has been done. Still, no actual cause of death reported. As community members and parents, it is important to know what is available to or youth a a means to end their lives. Being Chehalis, I will be left to speculate that it was easily obtainable heroin.
It doesn’t sound like he was “into” drugs at all. His family posted; “he could not find peace in this world…” so suicide. He was a very good student, involved with his church and (such a beautiful voice!) in choir. It sounds like he had friends and was very well liked. Depression is a mental illness. RIP Cole
It’s being spun as something NOT involving foul play. However, with the FBI involved, chances are the LCSO has been told to keep their mouth shut and follow orders. And that’s what they will do if they want to keep sucking the Federal tit.
So sad. Prayers to his family and friends.
My money is on Drug overdose?