03.09.09- More news on Aquan Lewis hanging
This video is sad, and I want to warn you in case you are extremely tender hearted. It’s not graphic, but if this story has you worked up already, you should use your own judgment on the best timing to view the videos.
CBS WBBM-TV‘s Joanie Lam reporting in the video below.
The below video from teamjustice99 offers a slightly different perspective with a few more details.
So where does that leave us?
- The incident occurred on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 in a bathroom stall at Oakton Elementary School.
- Last seen in hallway on the way to gym class, teacher noticed he was missing (according to CBS video)
- He was found in the stall around 3pm on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 (when does school let out?…just curious) unconscious by janitor Elliott Lieteau who administered CPR
- “Others” (does not specify children or adults) told janitor he was hanging in stall and had been pulled off the hook
- He was taken to Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago where he was pronounced dead at 4:05am the next morning, Wednesday, February 4, 2009.
- Medical examiner ruled it a suicide.
- Attorney hired by Angel Lewis stated that he died from severe brain damage. (from teamjustice99 video)
- “Counselors met with students and parents Wednesday. Several parents who attended a school meeting would not give their names, but said school officials provided little information about the death; others said school officials instructed them to avoid talking to the media.” (according to Fox News)
- We now know he was in gym class at the time he left for the bathroom
- Even Aquan’s mother Angel Lewis is not getting clear answers and is conducting an independent investigation
- Aquan was 5 ft tall, 100 lbs
- This still has not been picked up by the 24 hr news outlets, except Fox news, however I’m not they aired the story or if it’s just on their website.
- “Evanston police Cmdr. Tom Guenther said the coroner’s finding of suicide would not affect how police conduct the investigation. Asked if the finding ruled out any possibility of foul play or an accident, Guenther said, “I don’t think we’re going to jump to any conclusions at this point.” (from Fox News)
- “School officials still are trying to determine when the boy left his class to go to the bathroom, said Superintendent Hardy Murphy. There are no security cameras inside the school.” (from Fox News)
So far, I’ve found that the reports on video included here, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Breaking News site (collaboration of CLTV, WGN channel 9, WGN radio 720, and Chicago Tribune), Fox News, and Huffington Post have had the most useful reports (outside of what I’m reporting here). I’ve tried to compile everything between this post and the previous one. Here they are below:
My original post on affrodite.net
Again, I don’t know the family and I’m sure they’re doing what they can to find details and seek media attention (if desired), but let’s at least get this where it’s reported in the major media outlets.
Update 02/16/09
Funeral for Aquan Lewis was on Wednesday, February 11, 2009. Here is some additional information.
CBS 2 Chicago- FUNERAL HELD FOR AQUAN LEWIS
An emergency petition was filed in Cook County Circuit Court by the boy’s family last week, demanding that Evanston police preserve the tapes of the 911 call placed by Oakton School staff on Tuesday. Otherwise, the tapes could legally be disposed of after 30 days.
Patricia Markham, communications director for District 65, said Friday that she had not seen a copy of the order and declined to comment.
Members of the family’s legal team wouldn’t confirm a second, independent autopsy happened, but did say they’ve done everything they need to do in their investigation so far.
The Cook County Medical Examiner who ruled Aquan’s death a suicide told CBS 2’s Kristyn Hartman she based her determination on a couple of things: that she found no other trauma on his body except for a mark on his neck, and that the investigative report indicated he had a psychiatric history.
Update 2/19/09
Chicago Tribune provides first insight into details of Aquan Lewis hanging.
EVANSTON POLICE AGREE STUDENT’S DEATH WAS A SUICIDE
The 10-year-old boy found hanging in an Evanston school bathroom talked with friends about hurting himself before he slipped away from his 5th-grade class and fastened his shirt collar to a stall door hook, authorities said Tuesday.
Aquan Lewis reportedly stepped onto a toilet seat, leaned back and caught his shirt beneath the heavy stitching of the collar that proved strong enough to bear his more than 80 pounds.
“He had told other students he was unhappy that day,” Police Cmdr. Tom Guenther said during a news conference.
Police on Tuesday seconded the Cook County medical examiner’s finding that Aquan’s death was a suicide. They released details about how the child was discovered unresponsive Feb. 3 in the third-floor restroom near his classroom at Oakton Elementary School…
…The teacher has been placed on a routine administrative leave…
…In recounting what happened, Murphy said Aquan left his classroom to use the restroom before the start of gym class at 2:45 p.m. The boy slipped away without signing out for a bathroom break as was the room’s practice, so the exact time of his departure is uncertain, Murphy said.
Police estimate that Aquan went to the bathroom anywhere from 5 to 40 minutes before gym started, although Murphy said it was “a short period of time.”
The teacher realized that Aquan was missing when the students lined up to walk toward the gymnasium. The teacher then doubled back to look for Aquan, but several students discovered him first, Murphy said.
Aquan was unresponsive and bleeding from his nose. There were no signs of a struggle and no evidence of bruising, officials said.
Aquan had buttoned every button of his shirt, something his classmates said he never did, Guenther said…
Update 3/9/09
NBC Chicago posts photos released from police of shirt Aquan Lewis was wearing day he was found hung.
WARNING- somewhat graphic content!
AQUAN LEWIS DEATH INVESTIGATION
