Tri-Cities 16-year-old wearing skull mask killed by train

A 16-year-old boy who’d been suffering from depression has been identified as the body found Saturday evening on the railroad tracks in Pasco.

The family of Christian Castillo-Naranjo had been concerned after the teen did not come home Saturday night, which was unusual for him, said Franklin County Coroner Curtis McGary.

Someone in the family eventually saw a Facebook post by Pasco police about their death investigation and called authorities, he said.

His identity was confirmed after the coroner showed pictures of the boy to loved ones.

McGary said the identification was made about 5 p.m. Monday.

“I’m glad we found out who he was and they can have some closure there,” he said.

According to police, railroad employees received a report of a body on the tracks at 6:30 p.m. Saturday and notified emergency dispatchers.

The body was on the Pasco end of the railroad bridge, which crosses the Columbia River just east of the cable bridge.

Police said it appeared to be a young man who was wearing a skull mask with hood, and asked for the public’s help in identifying him.

McGary said no autopsy will be done since it is evident the teen died from being hit by a train.

He added that it is being considered a suicide since family shared that the boy had struggled with depression over the last couple of years.

Anyone with information for the investigation into Castillo-Naranjo’s death can call dispatch at 509-628-0333 or email Detective Bill Wright at wrightb@pasco-wa.gov.