Authorities in Larimer County have identified the 15-year-old boy .
The body of Joshua J. Francis, of Berthoud, was found in the school early Thursday. The county coroner’s office says he died of a gunshot wound to the head in what has been ruled a suicide.
Investigators are still conducting interviews and collecting historical data in the case “in hopes of possibly identifying a motive for this tragic event,” the sheriff’s office said in a news release Friday. No one else appears to be involved.
Authorities ask anyone with information on Joshua’s death to call the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office at 970-416-1985.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Francis family, their friends, and the community during this difficult time,” the release said.
Deputies found Joshua’s body while searching for him on Thursday morning. His parents called authorities to report their son had left home and that they were worried about his safety.
Joshua’s parents told officials their son might have gone to his high school.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Joshua,” Stan Scheer, the Thompson School District superintendent, said in a statement Friday. “This has been an especially difficult time for Joshua’s family, friends and the entire Berthoud community. We are extremely grateful to the community for their continued support in this time of need. So many students, parents and community members have come together to grieve and to provide support to others. We appreciate all that they have done.”
Classes at Berthoud High School were canceled on Thursday and Friday. A football game and a series of volleyball matches scheduled at the school for Friday were moved to other schools.
