DEAD KID MYSTERY DEEPENS
No trauma to suitcase boy’s body
A boy found dead inside a suitcase in an Indiana woods last month died of dehydration and had no signs of trauma on his body, State Police said.
An autopsy found that the boy, who has yet to be identified, died of an “electrolyte imbalance” that was likely caused by the stomach flu, police said.
A toxicology report came back negative.
The child, who is believed to be about 5 years old, was clothed and clean when he was found by a mushroom hunter in Washington County woods April 16, police said.
He was about 4 feet tall with a slim build and short haircut, according to cops.
Detectives believe he was already dead when he was stuffed inside the hard-shell suitcase with a Las Vegas theme on the front and back.
Police said he likely died less than a week before the suitcase was found.
“Investigators continue to utilize a variety of investigative techniques and have worked with several outside agencies during this investigation,” the State Police said.
‘Somebody knows’
“Although numerous tips have been called into the nationwide tip line, detectives have not been able to identify the boy. Investigators are not ruling out the possibility that the child could be from out of state or even out of the country.”
State Police Sgt. Carey Huls, during a press conference, bluntly said, “somebody knows something.”
“He didn’t put himself in that suitcase. Somebody did,” Huls (inset) said. “Somebody out there has firsthand knowledge on what happened in the situation . . . and we need that person to come forward.”
The boy’s funeral, planned by the county Sheriff’s Department, will be next week in Salem, Ind.
“This little boy wasn’t respected in life and we, Washington County, want to make sure he’s respected in death,” said department chaplain Todd Murphy. With Wires