Boy, 12, Was Reportedly Found Dead in a Senior Living Complex. Police Are Now Calling the Circumstances ‘Suspicious’

The body of a 12-year-old boy was reportedly found at a Washington senior living community in what authorities are calling a “suspicious death.”

Officers responded to a report of an unresponsive 12-year-old male at an address in Tacoma around 3:00 p.m. local time on Friday, Sept. 19, according to a news release from the Tacoma Police Department (TPD) shared on Facebook.

The boy was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Detectives and Crime Scene Technicians are actively investigating this incident as a suspicious death. Additional information will be released as it becomes available,” the release stated.

In a statement to The News Tribune, officer Shelbie Boyd of the TPD said the boy — later identified as Preston Hemingway-Lux — was not found outdoors, though she did not specify the exact location.

Authorities are awaiting results from the medical examiner’s office, which will provide more information about the boy’s cause of death.

PEOPLE reached out to the TPD and the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office for comment on Saturday, Sept. 27, but did not receive an immediate response.

Residents of Vintage at Tacoma, a senior living apartment complex, say the boy’s body was discovered inside the building, according to local news outlet King 5.

“We’ve had people pass because of age or sickness. But nothing like this,” resident Judy Anderson said.

“I cried when I heard because it just shouldn’t happen to a boy that age. I feel deeply for his family,” she added.

A GoFundMe page described Preston as “the perfect son, brother and friend.”

“He was an exceptional student, an athlete who excelled in basketball — someone with a bright future ahead. But beyond the accomplishments and achievements, Preston was truly an incredible person. If you had the privilege of knowing him, you would understand just how wonderful he truly was,” the message on the fundraising page said.

“Words cannot capture the depth of our grief, and we are struggling to come to terms with this unimaginable loss,” it continued.