Police, Coroner Say Westmoreland Co. Teen's Death 'Suspicious'
JEANNETTE, Pa. (KDKA/AP) - Local police and a county coroner say the death of a teen in Westmoreland County is being investigated as suspicious.
Westmoreland County Deputy Coroner Sean Hribal says an autopsy was being conducted Thursday on the body of the teen who died the day before in Jeannette.
Jeannette Police and the coroner's office are not saying where the teen died, how his body was found, or the circumstances which they believe led to his death.
Officials have identified the boy as 16-year-old Ryan Mangan.
For those who knew Mangan, it's been an incredibly painful 24 hours.
"We were always hanging out," said friend Taylor Wiltrout. "He's got to be my best friend, it's just a shame."
Mangan was a junior at Jeannette High School, where the district made grief counselors available to both students and staff.
"He was good in school, he's a smart kid," said friend Jimmy Malik. "I don't know what he was gonna do."
Mangan's death was immediately characterized as suspicious by investigators. They are treating it like a homicide, looking for clues into how this young man ended up dead in his own home and who he may have had contact with in the hours leading up to his death.
The deputy coroner says the office expects to release additional information later Thursday.
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