Iowa Teen Who Ran Away From Home Over Phone Fight Died After Fall From Communication Tower

Teen found dead
Marshalltown Police Department Facebook

Corey Brown's body was discovered in a secluded area on the west side of Marshalltown on Sunday, five days after he fled his house.

An Iowa teen who ran away from home during a snowstorm after an argument with his parents died after falling from a communication tower. 

Corey Brown's body was discovered in a secluded area on the west side of Marshalltown on Sunday, five days after he fled his house on Jackie Terrace, the Marshalltown Police Department said in a statement.

In a follow-up statement, police said Brown, 13, died after falling from an undetermined height after climbing the communication tower. "Brown suffered a significant head injury and died because of a blunt force trauma injury," the statement read.

Officials added they believe Brown "climbed over a secure fence to enter the tower site."

Brown was wearing a red shirt, black pants, gray tennis shoes, a black and lime green coat and a Seattle Seahawks stocking cap when he left home about 11:15 p.m. on Jan. 22.

Temperatures dropped and a snowstorm moved into the area, which worried his family and emergency responders who spent days searching for the teen. 

Brown reportedly ran off when his parents took his phone away following a disagreement.

The investigation remains active pending toxicology results, but police said there is no evidence of anything criminal. 

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