Jenzele Couassi: Washington girl, 16, found dead in local waters after missing for 4 days, GoFundMe set up
MARYSVILLE, WASHINGTON: A Washington community is left devastated after the body of a 16-year-old girl was found in a local body of water, just days after she went missing.
On Monday, April 22, Jenzele Couassi was found dead in a tidal area near the Tulalip Teen Center, where Tulalip Bay meets Battle Creek, according to FOX affiliate KCPQ.
The teenager was last spotted around 5 pm local time, on Friday, April 19, near Shoultes Road in Marysville, the town where the teen lived, Marysville Police said in a bulletin before her remains were located.
The cause of Jenzele Couassi's death
Couassi’s body has been turned over to the Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office, per the Times. The cause and manner of her death remain unclear.
She was a student in the Marysville school district, according to a GoFundMe campaign started to support her family. She is survived by both her parents and two younger brothers, who are “devastated” by her death.
More than $4,400 has been raised through the online fundraiser as of the afternoon of Tuesday, April 23.
Several people attended a vigil for Jenzele Couassi
Hundreds of people attended a vigil for Couassi on Monday, according to KCPQ.
Kaysie Collins and Amari Flores wrote letters to Couassi, who had been their friend since middle school.
“We had dreams of turning 18 and raising our kids together as best friends,” explained Flores, who shared a set of friendship necklaces with Couassi. "She had such a big heart and such a kind soul," Collins added.
California school teacher dies after falling off Arizona cliff during family hike
MEAWW previously reported that a California mother tragically lost her life after she fell off a cliff in Arizona while hiking with her husband and toddler on April 15.
In a news release, the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office (YCSO) said it responded to a report that a woman, identified as Zaynab Joseph, 40, had fallen down a 140 ft cliff on Bear Mountain in Sedona.
The department further noted that a group of hikers heard yelling and learned the woman was seriously injured. “While members of the group called 911, one hiked down the embankment and found that the victim was still breathing, but unfortunately, she passed away shortly after,” the YCSO said in its statement.
Authorities said that Sedona Fire arrived on the scene first and confirmed Joseph’s death while YCSO responded with its search and rescue teams. Her body was recovered as her husband and one-year-old child were airlifted off the mountain.
