Cause of death of 12-year-old Trails Carolina camper announced

LAKE TOXAWAY, NC (FOX Carolina) – The North Carolina Medical Examiner has announced the cause of death of a camper who was found dead at Trails Carolina Camp earlier this year.

On February 3, 2024, officials were called to Trails Carolina because a 12-year-old boy had stopped breathing. When emergency responders arrived, they attempted to save the child but found that he had been dead for “some time.”

On Monday, June 24, 2024, an autopsy report from the medical examiner revealed that the child’s cause of death was asphyxiation. Homicide was also determined.

According to the report, the child was in a bivouac and was positioned so that the waterproof material fell on his head and face. The report mentions that the external waterproof opening was fully secured and closed with an alarm, but the child could not get to it.

The Transylvania Sheriff’s Office said it will review the autopsy report in the context of the overall criminal investigation and will meet with the 42nd District Attorney’s Office.

The full report can be found below:

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