10-year-old Tyler James Wade (r.) died days after accidentally hanging himself with a scarf outside his home, police say.
Tyler James Wade passed away on Oct. 19, three days after friends found him dangling from a tree outside his home in South Kitsap near Seattle, the Kitsap Sun reported Tuesday.
"The youngster appears to have been engaged in trying to stage a prank," Kitsap County Sheriff's Office spokesman Scott Wilson told the newspaper. "It was an unintended accident."
The boy's pals had gone inside, then came back out looking for Wade.
They found him dangling from a tree, a scarf wrapped around his neck, authorities said.
"He had a twinkle in his eyes," Sidney Glen Principal Jason Shdo, who knew the boy for years, told the Kitsap Sun. "He was a little bit of a jokester. He was very affectionate, with a soft heart."
A memorial will be held to remember Wade at 1 p.m. Saturday. A benefit concert will also be held Oct. 28, with the money going towards helping his family pay for the funeral.
SOUTH KITSAP — A 10-year-old boy who was found hanging from a tree in South Kitsap last week was pronounced dead at a Tacoma hospital. Tyler James Wade died just after 9 p.m. Oct. 19, according to Kitsap County Sheriff's Office spokesman Scott Wilson. While the official cause of death will not be determined for up to eight weeks, Wilson said it appeared Tyler died from asphyxiation. Tyler was taken to Mary Bridge Children's Hospital in Tacoma on Oct. 16 after friends found him hanging from a tree by a scarf outside a home near Patricia Street and California Avenue. An investigation by detectives determined that Tyler had been playing with friends, who had gone inside before the incident. When they returned outside, he was entangled in the scarf. "The youngster appears to have been engaged in trying to stage a prank," Wilson said shortly after the incident. "It was an unintended accident." Tyler's former school, Sidney Glen Elementary in Port Orchard, is planning a memorial service at 1 p.m. Saturday. Sidney Glen Principal Jason Shdo had known Tyler for years. He described Tyler as having "an engaging, creative" personality. "He had a twinkle in his eyes," Shdo said. "He was a little bit of a jokester. He was very affectionate, with a soft heart." Tyler had been attending Silverdale Elementary when he died. People who knew Tyler are organizing fundraisers to provide financial assistance to his family. A benefit concert is planned for Oct. 28 at the Break Room, 1220 Sylvan Way in Bremerton. Bands include Brian Spilman, Jack & Jo and People Tank. The $5 tickets and proceeds from a bake sale will help Tyler's family pay medical and burial expenses. On Nov. 5, the Kitsap Ruff Ryders motorcycle club is hosting a silent auction and dinner at Silverdale's Old Town Bistro, 3388 Northwest Byron Street, starting at 4 p.m. The dinner, which includes a main entree, drink and desert, is priced between $8 and $14. Attendees are asked to wear neon green, Tyler's favorite color. Donations to Tyler's family can be made at any Kitsap County Bank of America branch or at giveforward.com/givingfortyler.
