Counselors Prepared To Help Grieving Students

The Widefield School District will be heading back to school on Monday with heavy hearts after a former classmate is found dead.

The body of 17-year-old Keith Cohu was recovered from a boiler vent on the roof of French Elementary School on Friday.

Cohu ran away from home in November and he was last seen on the roof of the school.

“It was on school grounds, a classmate, athlete, good friend to all,” said Thaddeus Hall, Widefield High School counselor.

He said they are in “crisis mode” and will be close by if any student needs a little help. “What we try to do is help them process their feelings,” said Hall.

Hall said a candle light vigil held Saturday night for Cohu has helped students to start the grieving process but it takes times.

This e-mail was sent to District 3 parents and staff members:

As you may be aware, shortly before dismissal on Friday, December 9, the body of a former Widefield High School student was found in an exhaust stack on the roof of French Elementary School. The ventilation system at French was not affected and staff and students were never in any danger. The external portion of the exhaust stack was removed due to an ongoing investigation by the El Paso County Sheriff?s Department. All necessary maintenance on the exhaust system was completed over the weekend by outside agencies in conjunction with the El Paso County Fire Department and the District 3 Facilities Department. The heating, ventilation and exhaust system is functioning safely and normally without any limitations. Regarding the investigation, Widefield School District 3 is fully cooperating with the El Paso County Sheriff?s Department. All further details regarding the investigation will be handled by the sheriff?s department. Widefield School District 3 will provide additional counseling support for staff and students who may have been adversely affected by this tragedy. We will monitor students and allocate any resources needed in order to work through this difficult situation. Thank you to the entire Widefield community for its cooperation, assistance and support during this tragedy. Again, French is fully functioning and school will be in session as normal on Monday.

Sincerely,

James Drew Director of Communication Widefield School District 3