Lynnwood man in custody after teen’s death

Published 10:52 pm Wednesday, April 23, 2008

LYNNWOOD — Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a 16-year-old boy who was found unconscious Wednesday afternoon and died soon after.

Lynnwood police took a 29-year-old Lynn­wood man into custody for investigation of murder in connection with the death, Lynnwood police spokeswoman Shannon Sessions said.

Police believe drugs are involved in the case and that there was an altercation between the boy and the man, Sessions said. The two are acquaintances, she said.

Aid crews were called at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday to help an unconscious boy at a house in the 4500 block of 172nd Place SW. He was taken to Stevens Hospital in Edmonds, where he died about two hours later, Sessions said.

Detectives worked into the night searching the house for evidence in the case, Sessions said.

“We’re interviewing witnesses,” Sessions said.

An autopsy to determine how the boy died is planned today by the Snohomish County medical examiner.

“The medical examiner’s office is going to be the key here in what happens next,” Sessions said.

Police said they didn’t know where the boy might have attended school.