High School Senior Reported Dead

A Lacey Township High School Senior died in his Forked River home Tuesday, police officials said.

“Today we learned of the tragic death of one of our high school seniors,” Superintendent Dr. Sandra Brower said. “Upon learning of the tragedy, the District Crisis Team was convened and the Crisis Management Plan was implemented.”

Counseling services are available beginning at High School dismissal until 8 p.m. Tuesday in the High School Library.

Crisis counselors were called in from all Lacey schools as well as from surrounding districts, Brower said.

Further counseling services will be provided for students at the high school throughout the day tomorrow until 8 p.m.

Patch was unable to immediately confirm the circumstances surrounding the death. But Brower did say that the incident did not occur on school property and the schools remain secure.

Police received a call regarding the deceased individual at 11:29 a.m. Tuesday, Cpt. David Paprota reported. Upon arrival at the Lacey home, officers confirmed the death and notified the Ocean County Medical Examiner and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.

Due to the individual’s status as a senior at Lacey Township High School, school officials were notified to arrange for student and staff support services. Brower said the district was notified at approximately noon Tuesday.

Police did not release the individual’s name and declined to provide further information.

The incident is being investigated by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Executive Assistant Prosecutor Michael Paulhus did not immediately return calls for comment.

The announcement comes just hours after the district canceled its parent community forum on school safety, which was initiated following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.

The district is asking residents to monitor the website for a rescheduled date and time. The meeting was coordinated just four days after the mass shooting in Connecticut that claimed the lives of 20 children and six adults.

Continue to follow Lacey Patch as this story develops.