Grief counseling was available to students on Tuesday at the middle and high schools.
Tyler McNeillBELCHERTOWN – The death of a 15-year-old Belchertown High School freshman on Monday, described as a suicide by family and friends, is the subject of an “active criminal investigation,” Police Chief Francis R. Fox said.
School officials released the name of the student as Tyler McNeill.
Fox said police received the call about the death on Monday at approximately 2:45 p.m. He would not provide further details, citing the investigation by the Belchertown Police Department and state troopers assigned to the Northwestern district attorney’s office.
On Tyler’s Facebook’s page, a woman identified as the teen’s mother described his death as a suicide. While declining comment to The Republican, Melanie McNeill wrote on the site, “If anyone could tell me anything that would help to understand why my son would do something this horrible I would like you to call me. I can’t understand why a boy so beautiful, so confident and so smart would take himself from me.”
Tyler was described on the website as a rapper, a good friend, and a devoted brother.
School Superintendent Judith Houle said counseling was available to middle and high school students on Tuesday. She said the announcement was made about Tyler’s death Tuesday morning, during the first class of the day for students.
“Obviously we are extremely saddened by his passing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family,” Houle said. “We will keep an eye out for kids who are struggling with this.”
Houle said she didn’t know of Tyler experiencing any problems, including bullying.
One of his friends, Aidan Santiago, of Springfield, described Tyler as “always a real person . . . He always wanted the best for his friends.”
Santiago said Tyler was always there whenever he needed him for anything.