Mourning, tributes continue for 15-year-old Kentwood High student

The Kentwood High School community continues to mourn the unexpected death last week of 15-year-old Oscar Lindsay.

Emergency vehicles responded the morning of Wednesday, Feb. 7 to a bus at Mattson Middle School. The bus driver reportedly pulled into the school for a break after dropping off students at Kentwood. Oscar, however, remained on the bus, according to an email to parents from Kentwood Principal Samantha Ketover.

Oscar died that morning in a medic vehicle at the middle school, according to the King County Medical Examiner’s Office. The cause and manner of death are pending.

“The Medical Examiner’s Office is not legally allowed to release any additional information from the autopsy record such as what information needs to be ascertained to determine cause and manner,” according to a Feb. 9 email from a Public Health – Seattle & King County spokesperson.

“We do not have any additional information or estimate on how long it may take to determine cause and manner. Cases that have cause and manner of death listed as ‘pending’ will be added to the list again when cause and manner of death are determined.”

The King County Sheriff’s Office investigated the incident and determined that Oscar’s death wasn’t suspicious but rather associated with a medical event, according to a Sheriff’s Office spokesperson. The Sheriff’s Office contracts with the city of Covington to provide police services. Mattson and Kentwood are in Covington, but part of the Kent School District.

Kent School District communications staff did not respond to a Kent Reporter email with questions about the incident.

The district denied a public records request by the Kent Reporter for an audio transcript of a conversation between the district’s bus dispatcher and the driver of the Kentwood bus, in part because of an “ongoing” investigation.

Oscar’s life

Oscar attended Sunrise Elementary School and Meridian Middle School prior to Kentwood. He inspired people at each school and often displayed his joy for soccer.

“As a seventh grader, Oscar was still trying to find out who he was, but one thing for sure was he loved soccer,” said Colleen Lawler, a Meridian Middle School teacher, in a post on everloved.com. “He wore something soccer related everyday in class, whether it was his team or his favorite teams. He was always willing to help others and was a good friend.

“I am deeply saddened by his passing and my heart goes out to his friends, family, and especially his mom May, who fought tooth and nail for her kid, but held him accountable, too.”

May Lindsay, Oscar’s mother, and Nicole Ramos, a family friend, started a fundraiser at everloved.com for immediate family to take time off work to grieve, and to help with the medical and funeral expenses, according to the website.

“I am so honored to have met Oscar and his sweet mom May,” Jennifer King said in a post. “I will always cherish Oscar’s laugh, his unique way of looking at the world, and his determination. His footprint is deep. God bless those who loved him and take them from pain to peace.”

As of Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 13, the everloved.com website had raised $12,080 for the family.

“Thank you so much to all here who have shared condolences, donations, or precious memories of Oscar – the family is so grateful for your support during this incredibly painful process,” according to a Feb. 11 website post. “Seeing this outpouring from Oscar’s community has been a blessing, a bright light in this dark time. We are deeply grateful.”

The family said it had not yet finalized arrangements for a memorial service.

A Sunrise Elementary School teacher posted a memory about Oscar on Facebook the day that he died.

“Oscar was in my class in fourth and sixth grade,” according to the post. “He was always smiling and laughing, full of energy and positivity. My heart breaks for his mom, family, friends, classmates and teachers that he leaves behind. The world is a little heavier tonight, Oscar. Journey in peace.”

Ketover, the Kentwood principal, shared an email with parents the day of Oscar’s death.

“Kentwood is a special community composed of amazing individuals,” Ketover said. “Oscar was one of those amazing individuals.”

Oscar Lindsay at a Seattle Seahawks game. COURTESY PHOTO, everloved.com