Summarized by Kent Larsen

LDS Teen's Accidental Death Mourned
(Dead teen mourned)
Lethbridge Alberta Canada Herald 6Mar00 D2
By Ron Devitt: Lethbridge Herald

STIRLING, ALBERTA, CANADA -- An LDS teen, missing since February 25th, was found dead Saturday afternoon by two young falconers. After discovering 17-year-old Aaron Russell's truck, the young men discovered his body down a rarely-used utility access trail. This week friends from Catholic Central High School and family mourned his death.

"Aaron was a very personable kid in school and he was never a disruption in class," said Darren Mazutinec, a former teacher and basketball coach. "There was a quietness about him in school. . . . As an athlete he had a ton of potential. It is unfortunate we won't see that fulfilled."

Based on the location of his body and the location of his truck, Police believe that Russell's truck became stuck in a ditch and he had tried to go for help on foot. They think that Russell, who wore two t-shirts and a light jacket, was overcome by the cold. An autopsy ruled that he died of exposure to the elements. "It looks like he died of exposure. It's kind of a sad ending," said RCMP Const. Ron McGeachy. Investigators haven't determined when Russell died, but they do know that temperatures dropped just below freezing the night he got lost, "It was pretty dark out there and could have gotten disoriented and went the wrong way and got lost. He wasn't really dressed for the occasion."