Evanston, Ill., police conclude that student hanging was a suicide

10-year-old boy was found dead in school bathroom

Feb. 5, 2009

2 min read

A police investigation has concluded the death of a 10-year-old boy at his Evanston, Ill., elementary school two weeks ago was a suicide. Meanwhile, the boy's fifth-grade teacher is on administrative leave as school officials probe how Aquan Lewis came to be unsupervised for a length of time.To read The Chicago Sun-Times article, click here.

EARLIER: An autopsy has determined that the death of a boy found unresponsive in a boys bathroom at an Evanston elementary school was a suicide. The Cook County medical examiner's office says 10-year-old Aquan Lewis, of Skokie, died by hanging. Sources say Aquan was scolded by a teacher, and he responded with a threat to kill himself.
The 5th grader hanged himself Tuesday afternoon by his shirt collar on a hook in an Oakton Elementary School restroom stall where a footprint was found on a toilet.
To read The Chicago Tribune article, click here.

UPDATE: Child welfare officials say they're investigating neglect allegations against Oakton Elementary School in connection with Aquan's death.
To read The Chicago Tribune article, click here.

A 10-year-old boy has died the day after he was found unresponsive in the bathroom of his Evanston, Ill., elementary school. Aquan Lewis, was found about 3 p.m. Tuesday in the bathroom at Oakton Elementary School. The medical examiner’s office says the boy was found apparently hanged. Authorities are not providing details of the incident, but a spokesperson for the school district says the death wasn't an act of foul play.
To read The Chicago Sun-Times article, click here.