Two lovestruck teens were found dead in the Alaskan woods hours after being reported missing from home Monday in an apparent double suicide.
Leotis Phillips and Zoey Clark, both 16, suffered fatal gunshot wounds in the wooded area near the Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School off of Glacier Highway in Juneau, Alaska, just before 2:30 p.m., the Juneau Police Department announced.
A gun was found near their bodies.
Phillips, described as an Alaskan native, was reported missing from his home at 5:52 a.m while Clark was reported missing from her house at 8:49 a.m.
Police initially advised that the couple was believed to have a firearm with them, but didn’t disclose where the minors snatched the gun.
The teens’ bodies were sent to Anchorage for an autopsy by the Alaska State Medical Examiner’s Office.
A candlelight vigil was held for the teens at the school’s campus, where the pair was remembered as sweethearts who loved each other and their families.
“The happiest I saw him was with her,” Clark’s cousin, Ariah Clark, said at the vigil, according to KTOO. “Through all the things she’s been through, he’s been there. I believe they both were hurting, and that their last moments were peaceful.”
“My life is never going to be complete anymore,” Clark’s father, Zac Clark, wept. “Parents just need to love their kids harder and stronger — that’s all I can say.
“There are still so many answers that a lot of us need, like what happened up there,” he added. “If any forensics can say what happened, what truly happened.”
Officials have not ruled on the cause or manner of deaths, but loved ones said the teens died in a double suicide.
“Zoey was smart, loving, and genuinely kind-hearted. She had a rough upbringing, but still helped others and cared deeply for the people around her. She loved art and drawing, and was a beautiful artist whose life touched many people,” read a GoFundMe set up for Clark.
Phillip’s grandmother was left heartbroken over her grandson’s death.
“In a million years I never thought id be writing my oldest handsome grandson Leo obituary….its wrong…someone else should be writing mine… me not writing my grandchildren,” Bobbiebo Johnson wrote in a Facebook post.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
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