Blake Hannett, a 15-year-old boy from Lynwood, Illinois, tragically died on December 11, 2014. Blake, who was a sophomore at Marian Catholic High School, was found slumped over in a chair at his desk with a .38-caliber handgun on the floor beneath him. He had been video chatting with a friend on FaceTime when the gun went off, leaving his friend with a blank screen. The Cook County Medical Examiner's office ruled his death a suicide, stating that he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. However, Blake's family believes that his death was an accident. They explained that Blake was home alone and armed himself with the handgun out of fear when he thought he heard an intruder. The gun reportedly went off when he placed it down in his bedroom.
Blake's death has been a source of deep sorrow for his family, friends, and school community. His family described him as a wonderful kid with a charismatic personality, known for his smile and sense of humor. Marian Catholic High School mourned his loss, highlighting his contributions to the school's marching band and his positive impact on his peers. The school held a prayer service to remember Blake and set up a memorial area with candles and photos to honor his memory.
The Lynwood police conducted an investigation into Blake's death. They found no signs of forced entry into the home and concluded that the gunshot wound was self-inflicted. Despite the family's belief that the shooting was accidental, the medical examiner's ruling of suicide stands. There have been no arrests, suspects, or litigations related to Blake's death, and the case remains closed as a tragic incident.
