Although RCMP say preliminary findings into the tragic and mysterious death of Logan Jesse Raymond, whose body was found last week along Hwy. 2A, does not point to murder it is not being ruled out.
The 17-year-old’s funeral was held yesterday at Red Deer’s Eventide Funeral Chapels & Crematorium.
RCMP Sgt. Patrick Webb said the investigation into what happened to Raymond on Aug. 12 is still on going.
“It’s very much an odd situation – actually I wouldn’t say that, I would say it’s fairly unique,” said Webb. “With the information we have right now, it doesn’t appear to be a murder, but we aren’t ruling anything out either.”
At about 1:30 a.m. on Aug. 12, Red Deer rural RCMP and EMS responded to a report of a person lying on the side of Hwy. 2A. Upon arrival police discovered Raymond dead on the side of the highway. Since then RCMP, with the assistance of the Medical Examiner’s office, has been investigating the circumstances of the tragedy.
An autopsy concluded the 17-year-old was killed as a result of a severe injury to his head.
“Judging by the circumstances it appears there could have been a vehicle involved in some manner,” said Webb. “Whether he was clipped by a vehicle or whether he came off a vehicle he was on, we’re not sure at this time. Anything is possible.”
His father, Kimbal Raymond, said Logan was walking home from Red Deer at the time of the incident.
“I spoke with him at about 11:30 (p.m.) and he was fine. He wasn’t intoxicated,” said Kimbal. “He was in Red Deer and he was walking back to Penhold when this happened. He was supposed to spend the night at his moms. He was trying to clear his head.”
Webb said investigators do have a bit of an advantage when it comes to finding out what happened to Logan.
“We have a limited location and time frame. We know what happened before 11:30 (p.m.) and what happened after 1:30 (a.m.),” he said. “We’ve had numerous witnesses come forward and we’re following up on information.”
Kimbal remembered his son as a “social butterfly.”
“He had 50 million friends and he possessed the qualities of a great person,” said Kimbal. “He put his family and his friends first and always, and he lived life to the fullest.”
Kimbal said his family is still seeking answers into what happened to Logan.
“I understand the police are doing their investigation, but it’s been very hard for us,” said Kimbal. “There’s got to be someone out there who knows something and who has answers.”
More than 400 people have joined a facebook page in memory of Logan.
Friends have written numerous heartfelt messages on the page including “We only had one lacrosse season together, but, I know our families are pretty close because of our brothers. I saw your memorial on the highway today and choked up. You will be missed. Take care buddy,” wrote Quinn Cullen Cameron.
Kathleen Skinner wrote “drove on the highway today logan..couldnt (sic) stop thinking of you… miss you so much bud..”
Allison Klavano said, “As a teacher I have met and taught a lot of kids…you were one of the students of mine that I never forgot and never will forget. Take care of all of us from up there. R.I.P Logan.”
RCMP are asking anyone with information about this incident to call 403-343-5500.
