2 Aliso Viejo Schools Closed After Death On Campus

ALISO VIEJO, CA —The body of a 13-year-old boy was found early Tuesday at Don Juan Avila Middle School in the city of Aliso Viejo, Patch has learned. He was thought to have taken his own life, according to officials.

Both Don Juan Avila Middle and Elementary Schools were closed Tuesday due to the ongoing investigation into the boy's death. Parents, faculty, students and friends grappled with the loss, all attempting to answer the unanswerable question, "why?"

The Capistrano Unified School District extended an offer of grief counseling at the district offices for anyone in need, a representative told Patch. Grief counselors will also be on hand when both schools reopen on Wednesday, they said.

Early Tuesday morning, a Don Juan Avila school custodian discovered the body of the boy in the quad common area, Orange County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Carrie Braun told Patch. He called deputies to the scene of "what was an apparent suicide," she said.

The OCSD continues to investigate the death of the child.

"The boy (whose name has not yet been released) was reported missing in the early hours of Tuesday morning," she said. "Deputies were looking for him at the time his body was found."

Parents in need of assistance during the school closure were told that the Boys & Girls Club has opened their doors and will waive fees for the day.

If you feel your child is in crisis, call the Orange County Crisis/Suicide Prevention Hotline at 877-7-CRISIS or visit www.211oc.org

This report will be updated.