Indiana police say boy, 5, found dead in suitcase died from electrolyte imbalance

By Audrey Conklin

Published May 28, 2022

Indiana authorities on Friday determined the cause of death for an approximately 5-year-old boy found deceased inside a suitcase in April to be an electrolyte imbalance, which can be caused by dehydration and malnutrition.

A Sellersburg-area resident was foraging mushrooms in a densely wooded area in Washington County on April 16 when he discovered the boy's body by the 7000 block of East Holder Road — about a 45-minute drive to Louisville — and called 911.

Boy, 5, found in suitcase in rural Indiana

An Indiana man was foraging mushrooms when he came across the boy's body and contacted 911. (Google Maps)

Boy, 5, found in suitcase off the road in a wooded area of Indiana

Police say the boy's body was found near a wooded area in rural Indiana. (Google Maps)

The boy had been stuffed inside a hard suitcase with a Las Vegas design, according to the Indiana State Police (ISP).

On Friday, police released the results of an official autopsy report that determined the boy's cause of death as an "electrolyte imbalance," likely from "a viral gastroenteritis," or intestinal inflammation caused by bacteria or parasites. The report also states that there was an "absence of significant traumatic injuries" on the boy and "no anatomical cause of death."

Detectives have no reason to believe the boy was placed inside the suitcase while he was alive and further determined that the boy was cleaned and clothed when he was discovered, ISP said Friday.

The suitcase in which police discovered a deceased 5-year-old boy.

The boy's body was discovered inside a hard suitcase with a Las Vegas design. (Indiana State Police)

Despite receiving "numerous tips" since police released their initial request for the public's help in investigating the child's cause of death, they have not been able to identify the boy, who is described as a young, Black male around the age of 5.

Investigators are not ruling out the possibility that he could have been from out of state "or even out of the country," ISP said.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about the case to call the nationwide toll-free tip line at 1-888-437-6432.

Audrey Conklin is a digital reporter for Fox News Digital and FOX Business. Email tips to audrey.conklin@fox.com or on Twitter at @audpants.

https://www.foxnews.com/us/indiana-boy-dead-suitcase-electrolyte-imbalance