NEW PHILADELPHIA, SCHUYLKILL CO. (WOLF) — The deaths of two missing New Philadelphia teens in Schuylkill County have been ruled as homicides.
The Dauphin County Forensic Facility performed autopsies this morning for a 16-year-old victim and 18-year-old Hunter Mock.
Although the 16-year-old wasn't named by State Police, the Pottsville Area School District announced that 16-year-old Angelito Xavier Caraballo died.
Caraballo was last seen in his residence on Macomb Street on Sunday, Oct. 8 at around 8 p.m.
Mock was last seen around Monday, Oct. 9. at 3:30 p.m. leaving his residence on Wetherill Street.
As authorities and the community searched for Caraballo and Mock, two bodies were discovered in the wooded area of New Philadelphia.
Troopers say the bodies were found on Ferndale Road, approximately 1 mile east of State Route 209 in New Philadelphia on Tuesday around 3:25 a.m.
Both individuals were pronounced deceased at 6 a.m. by the Schuylkill County Coroner's Office. The causes of deaths have not been released.
The school has counselors and administrators assisting students and families who need support during this time.
Those close to the two teens stopped by the area where their bodies were found to leave flowers in their remembrance.
“We’re going to put them over there by the entrance for them,” said Zoey Frost, close member to the teens.
“We love them boys very much, and we all spent every day with them,” she said.
“They were really good kids, and they had the biggest hearts, and they deserved so much more, so please help us make it right for them when they go to rest,” said Frost.
‘They will pay for what they did, we will all keep them alive because they shouldn’t be gone in the first place,”
“I just want to show support for their families, and get what’s right from them so they can have the proper burial,” she added.
The cause and manner of deaths have been ruled as homicides for each following Thursday morning's autopsies.
Although the confirmation was made on Thursday by state police, school officials and family members of both teens reported that Caraballo and Mock had died.
Pennsylvania State Police have not released any more information at this time.
GoFundMes have been set up by both Caraballo and Mock for funeral expenses.
This is a developing story. Stay with FOX56 for updates.
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