Missing Boy, 13, Who Ran Off When Parents Took His Cell Phone, Found Dead

Corey Brown ran away after his parents took his cellphone; he was discovered Sunday not far from home.

January 29, 2019

Corey Brown [Marshalltown Police Department]

By: Mike McPadden

MARSHALLTOWN, IA — The search for a 13-year-old boy who disappeared last Tuesday night ended tragically on Sunday morning when officials discovered his dead body less than a mile and a half from his home.

According to Marshalltown Police Chief Mike Tupper, on the evening of January 21, Corey Brown got into an argument with his parents that led to them taking away his cellphone. In anger, then, the teenager reportedly left the house during a snowstorm and was not heard from again.

The Browns alerted the police and a massive search commenced the next day. The entire Marshalltown community rose up and took action to help find Corey, along with the fire department, local churches, neighboring police forces, and a number of other official agencies, including the FBI.

While the hunt commenced, weather issues complicated the effort. Six inches of snow fell on the Marshalltown area and, from a high of just 29 degrees, temperatures dropped down to nine degrees below zero.

Sadly, at approximately 10:45 A.M.. on January 27, a searcher discovered Corey’s lifeless remains in a “secluded area” less than 1.5 miles from the Brown family residence. Chief Tupper noted, “He was wearing the same clothes he left home in.”

Tupper added that no foul play was immediately evident, but said, “This is still an active investigation, and all possible scenarios will be thoroughly investigated. We believe we will be able to accurately account for his steps and whereabouts."

In addition, Tupper said the initial argument was just an ordinary adolescent flare-up, stating, “Anyone with kids has had discussions with their children about household rules. This was a typical parent-teenager interaction. No anger. Nothing extraordinary.”

In an official statement, the Marshalltown PD expressed gratitude to all those who assisted in the effort, declaring: “Countless other groups, organizations and individuals provided logistical and resource support. Thank you. The community has rallied behind the Brown family and all of public safety. The community support has been nothing short of phenomenal. Thank you, everyone.”

An autopsy will be performed on Corey’s remains, and no further press conferences are scheduled or expected.

Read more: NBC News, KCCI, WHO-TV, Times-Republican