The community is grieving the loss of 15-year-old Aaron Bank-Sedore, whose body was found Tuesday afternoon inside a water tower on Orchard Heights in Aurora.
York Regional Police were called to the water tower on Tuesday after a town employee discovered the teen, who was reported missing by his family only hours before, York Regional Police Const. Andy Pattenden said.
Police say the circumstances surrounding Bank-Sedore’s death are not considered suspicious.
In a statement to NewmarketToday, York Region spokesperson Patrick Casey extended condolences to the family and friends of the teen.
“This is a tragic situation,” Casey said. “York Region has co-operated with York Regional Police and the Ministry of Labour. York Regional Police have cleared the scene. A coroner will determine the cause of death.”
Casey said the region regularly reviews security systems at all its facilities, however, he would not comment further.
“The health and safety of our residents and our employees is a priority,” Casey said. “Learnings from this terrible incident will help strengthen security at all regional infrastructure facilities.”
Parents whose children were friends with Bank-Sedore expressed grief and sadness yesterday as they struggled to cope with the loss.
“Today, my daughter lost a friend, a young 15-year-old boy whose life has now ended,” Christine DeForest wrote on social media. “His friends made a group chat to try and help find him when they found out he was missing. When they learned that he was gone, the chat was silent.”
“Then the messages of devastation began.... These kids are hurting,” the Aurora mom said. “They all wish they could have changed the outcome. They were all trying to figure out next, how they could help find him, now they are trying to cope with him being gone forever. My heart breaks for his family and for all these teens trying to cope with this loss. Aaron was loved and important to so many people. Rest in peace, Aaron. You are already sadly missed.”
