PICADILLY, N.B. -- The New Brunswick RCMP confirm they are investigating the sudden death of a 16-year-old boy near Sussex as a homicide.
Police responded to a 911 call at a home on Orchard Crescent in Picadilly, N.B. around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday.
"When police arrived, they found a 16-year-old boy deceased," said New Brunswick RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Jullie Rogers-Marsh."There was nobody else in the residence."
The victim has been identified as Michael Kraszewski, a Grade 11 student at Sussex Regional High School.
Police have not said how the boy died, but they do say he was the victim of a homicide.
"I was shocked," said neighbour Mason Grant-Petley."I had never expected that to happen, especially since beforehand, I was talking to him at school like nothing bad seemed like it was going to happen."
Grant-Petley was also a classmate of Kraszewski's. He was devastated when he found out.
"He was always cracking jokes and whatnot you know, we'd always have some interesting conversations on the bus, or walking home or whatnot," said Grant-Petley. "He was just all-around great guy."
Investigators executed a search warrant at the home on Friday as they continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the teen’s death.
An autopsy was conducted today to determine the cause of death. There is no word yet on those results.
Police are asking anyone with information, or who may have witnessed anyone coming or going from the home Wednesday evening, to contact them.
Meanwhile, students and staff at Sussex Regional High School are mourning Kraszewski's death.
Zoe Watson, superintendent for the Anglophone South School District, says they learned of Kraszewski’s death Thursday morning.
“These tragedies are very challenging for schools and as a District our role is to support students and staff,” said Watson in a statement. “Michael had many friends at school, and some of these students were picked up by their parents.”
Additional guidance counsellors and five members of the local Child and Youth Team were at the school Thursday afternoon and Friday to provide support.
Neighbours say they're expecting a big funeral for a teen who will be missed by many.