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WEST JORDAN -- Police are investigating the weekend death of a 16-year-old Copper Hills High School student.
The body of Braxton Anderson was found in a field over the weekend. Braxton, along with three other boys, all 16, was reportedly drinking alcohol in a field near 8675 South and 4300 West on Friday night, said West Jordan Police Sgt. Drew Sanders.
Two of the friends left Braxton and another boy at some point to go home. One of the friends returned to the field Saturday because he had lost his wallet. When he went back, he found Braxton's body. Police were called about noon on Saturday.
When officers arrived, they found the fourth friend laying in the field about 500 yards away. He was treated for hypothermia, Sanders said, and was expected to make a full recovery.
The cause of Braxton's death was unknown Wednesday pending an autopsy from the Utah State Medical Examiner's Office.
On Copper Hills High School's Web page, there is a message that says, "In memory of," with a picture of Braxton.
Braxton's obituary states the boy passed away on Saturday. It said he loved playing guitar, was a "great big brother," and loved his friends and family. He excelled at school and also loved playing video games, according to the obituary.
A viewing for Anderson will be held on Friday at the Cobble Creek 8th Ward. Funeral services will be held on Saturday.
Several of Braxton's friends posted messages and memories of him next to his online obituary. Jordan Nguyen called Braxton a "real friend."
"Someone who actually cared about me and invited me to hang out and go places," he wrote. "He made everything funny. He probably was the one who taught me humor."
Another person called Braxton "caring, loyal, friendly, kind."
"I never heard him say one rude word unless he was joking with friends," Tanner Wormington wrote. "I'll miss you very much Braxton."
Braxton is the third Copper Hills student to die this school year.
In January, Jose Ceballos, 17, a very popular student at the school, was thrown from the back window of a truck after the driver lost control and the vehicle rolled. Anjelica Chandler also died earlier this school year, reportedly from natural causes.
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Story written by Pat Reavy, with contributions from Marc Giauque.
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