Marshalltown, Iowa — The Marshalltown Police Department found Corey Brown, age 13, deceased Sunday. His body was located around 10:45 a.m. in a secluded area on the west side of Marshalltown.
A preliminary autopsy report released Wednesday reveals the boy died after ‘falling from a communication tower’ a mile from his home. The cause of death was a ‘blunt force trauma injury.’
“We don’t know why Corey was climbing the tower, what happened, how he fell off the tower,” Marshalltown Police Chief Mike Tupper said. “All I know is that he was there and he fell. Nobody was there to talk to Corey so we obviously can’t know his frame of mind.”
“We ask that everyone is cautious in how they talk about this and try to stick to the facts,” Tupper said. “I realize that people are going to have questions, but the family has been through a lot.”
“All I know is that he was there and he fell. Nobody was there to talk to Corey so we obviously can’t know his frame of mind.”
Police said initially there was no ‘evidence or information that indicates criminal activity’ but the investigation is ongoing.
Corey was last seen in the area of Jackie Terrace, Marshalltown around 11:15 pm on January 22, 2019. Police Chief Michael Tupper said the boy left his parents’ home that evening after his parents took away his phone during a “disciplinary discussion.”
Police released this statement: A press conference is not being planned at this time. No other public information is available for release. When additional details are available, we will send them immediately. The Brown family requests everyone honor and respect their privacy. The family wishes to thank the Marshalltown/Marshall County community for all of their support during this difficult time. The family also thanks the public safety personnel, and volunteers, who worked diligently during the search for Corey. The family is not accepting requests for interviews and do not wish to make a public statement at this time.
The Marshalltown Police Department has been assisted in this investigation by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, Marshalltown Fire Department, Iowa State Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Marshalltown Public Works, Marshall County 911, Marshall County Crime Stoppers, Marshall County Emergency Management, Marshall County CERT, Star 1 Search & Rescue, Story County Emergency Management, Story County Sheriff’s Office, Marion County Sheriff’s Office and countless area fire and EMS departments. The police department sincerely appreciates the innumerable hours put in by all of these partners during the search for Corey. These agencies all provided exceptionally professional service under very difficult conditions.
The public safety team wishes to thank the Marshalltown/Marshall County community for all of their support during this difficult investigation. Our Savior Lutheran Church allowed public safety to operate out of their church for three days. We sincerely appreciate their generous hospitality. Countless other groups, organizations and individuals provided logistical, and resource support. Thank you! The community has rallied behind the Brown family and all of public safety. The community support has been nothing short of phenomenal. Thank you everyone.
Corey was wearing a red shirt, black pants, grey tennis shoes with a lime green Nike logo, a black and lime green coat and Seattle Seahawks stocking cap.
No further information was available.
