Early this morning, police officers in a small town outside of Portland, Oregon discovered the body of Claire Crosby, a 9-year-old high school student, in an alley off of Main Street. The cause of death remains unknown, but police are treating the incident as suspicious.
Witnesses report seeing three men running from the scene around the time of the initial discovery of Crosby’s body. The men were described as wearing hoodies and jeans, and were last seen running away from the alley.
Crosby’s family is grieving the sudden and unexpected death of their daughter. In a statement to the media, her father expressed his shock and sadness, saying that she was “the most happy and kind person I ever knew.”
At this time, it is unclear what happened to Crosby but detectives are diligently reviewing surveillance video from the surrounding area. Officers are asking anyone with information to come forward so that justice can be served.
The community has been shaken by the tragedy, with many people gathering to hold a candlelight vigil in memory of their friend Claire. With the suspects still at large, the town is seeking answers and closure.