#colbydavidbrown

First, it was Mother’s Day, and talk about a tough day. Gwen Wood’s two daughters honored her, but there remained an emptiness. And then, three days ago on May 17, it was Colby Brown’s 21st birthday. He wanted to go to Las Vegas with family and close friends. Instead, it was a Heavenly 21st because he was found more than 100 feet below a bridge along Interstate 64 in Huntington, W.Va., following the first day of his sophomore year in late August 2019. Colby had gone to the gym in the morning, attended two classes and made a date with a young lady for the afternoon, and then played video games with several friends. They said he suddenly vanished after he and his friend smoked a bowl of marijuana; that he didn’t feel well; that he was in a downstairs bathroom; that he just left. The next person to see him alive, albeit barely, was a young lady who pulled to the side of I-64 after seeing him finish his fall. She said they prayed, and then Colby passed away. “When I was told what happened, I kept thinking it was a mistake and that Colby was just on the hospital and he was going to be OK,” Wood recalled. “The following morning we went to the hospital to see him, and it’s a picture I will never get out of my mind. He was lying there, and we could see him only from the neck up. I kept thinking he was going to sit up and tell us he was kidding around. “I never imagined we would have to celebrate any of his birthdays at the cemetery, and it made my heart feel so badly. It’s hard to do anything because everything reminds me of him,” she admitted. “That’s why I always keep looking for a sign from him that he’s OK.”

Mother's Day was always a big deal for Gwen and her kids.

No Healing Over Time

Wood has kept herself busy. She has part-time bartended, and she’s cared for an ill friend. As always, she has remained in constant contact with her daughters, Darby and Shelby, and with her closest friends. She is the first to admit, however, that life in general can prove tortuous for the most simplistic reasons. Driving by the fields on which Colby played, the school he attended, and even the colors blue and gold, still cause anxiety. “I was rooting for those Cameron boys who made the state basketball tournament, but it was hard to watch because Colby was one of those boys once,” she said. “I guess I’m not used to him not being here because I keep wanting to tell him things, or if I see something he would like in a store, I think about buying it for him. Those situations make it hard to breathe. “I know I need to go talk to someone. I know I need to get help for the grief, but I don’t think anyone would understand enough to be of any help,” Wood continued. “I know he’s not coming back, but I still look for him.”

Colby and Shelby have been best friends since an early age. Mother’s Day was first, and Gwen posted a meme that stated, “There is no greater burden or torture in this life than for a mother to live without one (or more) of her children.” Colby’s birthday picnic this past Sunday was consoling because so many honored Colby. Soon after, though, Mom was left again with her own thoughts. “I don’t know which one is worse, Mother’s Day or his birthday. Probably his birthday, so, yeah, it was a real bad week,” Wood explained. “It’s hard for me to be around people, and that’s why it’s hard for me to leave the house most of the time. But on his birthday, we spent a lot of time with family and friends, and then we went to the cemetery, and a lot of people had decorated rocks in his honor because his memorial marker isn’t ready yet. “I was hoping the marker would have been here,” she said. “We ordered it back in February, and it’s still not ready, but that didn’t stop anyone from honoring him with the rocks and also the Chinese lanterns that everyone set off once it got dark outside Sunday night.”

Colby's family created this collage showing the young man at various ages.

Progress and Peace

The people who have followed this case know: - The investigators with the West Virginia State Police listed the cause of death as “suicide.” - A private investigator, John P. Casey, concluded the cause as “accidental.” - Neither determined cause makes sense to his mother. “One of us would have known Colby was having some kind of problems, so that’s why we will never believe he took his own life,” Wood insisted. “And if it was an accident, how was it an accident? The PI didn’t explain that in his report, and that’s why I think he was just telling me what I wanted to hear.” Relentless, Wood has been. Even during this pandemic. Countless voice mails have been left, a “bazillion” emails sent, and still the “Why?” remains unanswered.

(Publisher’s Note: This is the sixth in a series of articles that examine the passing of 19-year-old Colby Brown, a 2018 graduate of Cameron High School, who attended Marshall University in Huntington. Colby was pronounced dead on Aug. 26, 2019, after paramedics treated him in the middle of Interstate 64.) Finally, the cell phone. The mother of Colby Brown, the 19-year-old who died the first day of his sophomore year at Marshall University, finally was given her son’s cell phone this week. For many reasons, holding the cellular device felt as if she was reconnected to a life lost unexpectedly and, to her, without a full explanation. Gwen Wood was in Charleston when she received a call from one of the investigators with the State Police informing her that finally she could take possession of the one piece of property wanted most. She has the shoe her son lost after he fell 109 feet from an overpass spanning Interstate 64, and Wood also possesses the sheet used to cover Colby once pronounced deceased. His car was retuned to Cameron, too, as was his clothes and other belongings from his home in Huntington. But were there clues, maybe even secrets, on his cell phone? “I waited eight months so I couldn't get there fast enough, and luckily was still in Charleston that day,” Gwen explained. “Honestly, I didn't know if I would ever get it back after talking to some other parents that have gone through similar situations with their child because they never got their child's phone back.  “The whole way there, I just kept thinking something else was going happen and I wasn't actually going to get the phone, so I tried not to get my hopes up too high,” she admitted. “But I did get his phone, and we still are going through the phone. I want to get a professional to go through it along with his laptop because there might be something.”

As a Promise Scholarship student from Cameron High, Colby chose Marshall University.

Face in His Phone

He was 19, academically engaged, and socially active. Colby Brown was an extrovert and, as long he was prepared for his classes, was more than willing to join family and friends for fun. These days, the majority of entertainment arrangements were organized via texting or on social media platforms, and that meant his cell phone was a lifeline for leisure, young love, and a lot of laughter. “He was always on it, that’s for sure,” his mother confirmed. “To a young person, a smart phone is an extension of them. It's a bank full of their friendships, conversations, videos and pics, it shows you who they are and makes us feel closer to him.” That is why, at least a few times per week, Wood has attempted to reach one of the two troopers investigating his passing on Aug. 26, 2019. Most often, though, she says her messages have gone unreturned. Until earlier this week, that is. “Sgt. Joyce told me that it was not a priority because it was not ruled a homicide and that when forensics got to it they would do it,” she explained. “I tried to ask what they were investigating since it was ruled a suicide, but the first time he hung up on me. This time, though, he said it would be in the report when I got it and went back into the detachment, slamming a locked door behind him,” Wood reported. “They have not given me any information, and it's been over eight months.”

Colby spent significant time with his nephew before departing for Huntington.

An Investigating Mother

Frustrated and tormented are mild adjectives when describing how Wood has felt since her son died following his first day of his sophomore year at Marshall University. He went to the gym, attended his classes, and then joined friends for video games in the late afternoon. According to those at the gathering, though, Colby suddenly vanished after smoking a little marijuana with the group. From that point in time, details are sketchy. “The first thing I started looking at was the times of phone calls and messages on Aug. 26, then his locations,” Wood explained. “It confirmed he went to class, came home and took his dog (Penny) for a walk, then Jon Crow facetimed him at 4:19 p.m. That’s why he left his apartment and went to Jon’s until 6:51 p.m. “His Snapchat was put in ghost mode, though, and Jon called his phone at 6:49 p.m. and again at 6:51 p.m.,” she said. “Then nothing after 6:51 p.m. I believe then his phone was powered off because nothing comes up after that for location. I haven't found anything yet where Colby responded to anyone after getting to Jon’s house at 4:25 p.m., and that was not like him.” Her search is far from over as far as the cell phone is concerned, and that is because Colby always actively communicated with her, his two sisters and with his father. Once Wood was in possession of her son’s cell, some hope returned to their hearts. “The moment I had it in my hand, it was a relief,” she said. “Everyone has been hopeful that the phone would provide us with some pieces of the puzzle. We had our doubts though, if we would ever get it. So, yeah, it's a huge relief because being able to see all his photos and videos and the things that he enjoyed makes us feel a better connection to Colby.”

Colby and his nephew traveled with family to the Atlantic shore in July 2019.

Case Closed?

(Publisher’s Note: This is the sixth in a series of articles that examine the passing of 19-year-old Colby Brown, a 2018 graduate of Cameron High School, who attended Marshall University in Huntington. Colby was pronounced dead on Aug. 26, 2019, after paramedics treated him in the middle of Interstate 64.) While most Americans are concerned with the coronavirus and worried about when their stimulus checks will arrive and when unemployment will kick in, there’s this lady named Gwen Wood, a native of Cameron and a current resident of Benwood. She’s a fighter, see, and her 10 Toughman championship belts are pieces of proof of that fact, but what consumes her during these pandemic days doesn’t concern overcoming COVID-19. Those who know her are quite aware life remains about her son, Colby Brown, and discovering without a doubt how the 19-year-old died last August in Huntington. Those reading these chapters already are aware of many of the facts, including: He was a first-day sophomore at Marshall University the day he passed away.Colby died from injuries suffered after falling, or yes, jumping, from the McCoy Road Bridge, an overpass spanning Interstate 64 at approximately 7 p.m. on August 26.He sustained five bone fractures to his right arm and leg, two fractures to his left leg, and a pelvic fracture, too.The investigators with the lead agency, the W.Va. State Police, ruled the death as a suicide while citing drug use.Two toxicology reports have indicated only marijuana and alcohol were found in his system at the time of his death.The private investigator hired by Wood produced an eight-page report that, at the very end, ruled Colby’s death as, “accidental.”

Colby earned a Promise Scholarship after he was graduated from Cameron High School in 2018.

Mostly Repeated Photos

This sixth chapter in this series can offer only repeats of photos previously utilized because trips to Huntington were planned to examine several sites, including the spot from where state troopers believe Colby leaped to his death, where the young man lived, the path he allegedly traveled from a friend’s house to the McCoy Road Bridge, and of his friends who, along with the Brown and Wood families, anxiously await the real reasons why they lost him. “I know we’re all supposed to be safe and to protect each other right now, and we’re all doing what we’re supposed to do, but this is so frustrating because Colby was a topic again. What happened to him was a topic again, and even more people started reaching out to us,” Wood explained. “We were supposed to go down there again and talk to everyone again. “I really believed that we were going to find out something that would have taken us closer to whatever the answers are,” she said. “Now we’re stuck again, it feels like, because of this health situation around the world; there’s so much we can’t do now, and no one seems to know how long it will be until we can. It’s so frustrating I really can’t explain it.” During her search, Wood has spoken with everyone from the lead investigators to the young lady who stopped and ran to Colby following his fall. There’s blurry video footage, an online footprint, Colby’s unprocessed-by-police vehicle, and there’s knowing him, too. “So many things involved with his death make my mind race pretty much every day,” Wood admitted. “But it comes down to knowing him and how tight our family has been forever. He and his sisters (Shelby and Darby) didn’t have secrets. I know that, and he always talked honestly with me and his dad. “That’s why we all believe we would have known there was something that wrong in his life, and that’s why, once we can somehow move forward with everything again, all of his friends will continue to help us,” she said. “Our family is not looking to blame someone for something. We trying to understand it, and right now, we don’t at all.”

Colby played several sports for Cameron High, and he even served as the Dragons' quarterback.

Why the ‘No Way’?

Three questions: What person goes to their classes if they intend to take their own life the same day?Who doesn’t spend the thousands of dollars in their bank account before making such a decision?Why go to the gym the same day to better your physical and mental health if you are planning to plummet 109 feet to your death a mere seven hours afterward? “I ask those questions to myself probably every day and I never come up with any answers,” Wood said. “No one I have asked sees it as normal either. I always hope someone has a different answer other than, ‘No one.’ “I know it could have gone down that way. I realize that; I really do. And I know every mother wants to believe they are very close with their kids,” she said. “We’ve always been a family who has welcomed pretty much anyone into it because that’s our family. That’s how we go about it, and it was always something Colby loved about his family.” A fourth question? Colby had moved down to Huntington a few days before his first day as a sophomore after his first-year grades were impressive enough to retain all of his scholarships, including the Promise from the Mountain State. Not a single person who came into contact with the 19-year-old former OVAC all-star has reported experiencing a troublesome conversation with him or anything close to a clue as to how such a tragedy could occur. “We’ve always heard about his smile, and about his positive attitude,” Wood said. “He was always trying to get his family to eat better and to work out more so we would improve our health, and he did the same with his friends, too. “I could use some of that right now,” she said. “That’s one of a trillion reasons why I wish he were still here with us.”

This is the area where authorities have told Wood her son was before his death.

From Here, Where?

Wood is afraid she’ll never get Colby’s phone back from the state troopers. She’s fearful that because of the unknown length of the health crisis people will forget that August day. “I hired the private investigator almost immediately for that reason, and that’s why I was pleased with the story series because people who remembered something, well, they were reaching out to me before all of this,” Wood said. “But since all the closures have taken place and all the students went home, none of us have heard from anyone. It’s like it just went away. “There were some people who were texting with me, but when the stories started to get a lot of attention, they quit responding,” she continued. “I want those people to know that they can keep contacting me with what they know, and if they want to stay anonymous, that’s fine with me. If it gives us a direction, that’s all we ask.”

(Publisher’s Note: This is the fifth in a series of articles that examine the passing of 19-year-old Colby Brown, a 2018 graduate of Cameron High School, who attended Marshall University in Huntington. Colby was pronounced dead on Aug. 26, 2019, once paramedics treated him in the middle of Interstate 64.) Colby Brown experienced his first plane flight when traveling to visit his cousin Dalton, a young man three years older who felt more like an older brother and his best friend. It was a 17-hour trip taken with his aunt Brooke Myers and his cousin Bailey, and the trio toured the Asian country for 13 days to taste the native cuisine, enjoy the culture, and see the sights. But there was one piece of natural beauty they didn’t get to see until, of course, Colby came up with the solution.

Because of rain and fog, Mount Fuji was not visible during his trip to Japan, so Colby got a tattoo of it on his left thigh. “We saw as much as we could see and tried as many different foods that we could, based on what Dalton told us about,” Myers said. “And we got to take a tour of Dalton’s ship, which is the U.S.S. Blue Ridge, and we took a tour of his base, too. “The one thing we really wanted to see was Mount Fuji, but we couldn’t go because of the weather. It was always too rainy and foggy,” she recalled. “That’s when Colby said he was going to get a tattoo of Mount Fuji on his leg, and sure enough, when he walked out of the tattoo place, there it was, Mount Fuji on his thigh just like he said. He told us that any time we wanted to see Mount Fuji, all we had to do was look at his leg. That’s the kind of person Colby was.”

Dalton showed his mother Brooke, sister Bailey, and Colby places where he went while stationed in Yokosuka, Japan.

Toxicology Report No. 2

On Aug. 30, 2019, the state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner released the initial Toxicology Report, one that revealed ethanol, delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Marijuana Metabolite (Carboxy-THC), and Marijuana Metabolite (11-Hydroxy THC), but not mushrooms like Jon Crow told authorities and private investigator John P. Casey. Then, on Oct. 31, 2019, Wood spoke directly with Dr. James C. Kramer, the chief toxicologist for the state of West Virginia and requested a second round of testing to discover whether or not Colby had consumed synthetic marijuana, LSD, PCP, and mushrooms. Her request was accepted, and Dr. Kramer told Wood during that conversation, “It's going to be pretty pricey for the state, but this is important. We definitely want to get to address your concerns. “And we'll send what's called an addendum report, and we'll have these listed on there and whether they were found or not.” Wood received that second report early this week and the only additions to it read, “Blood – Synthetic Cannabinoids – None Detected. “NOTE: A drug screen for therapeutic and abused drugs using LC/MS/MS was performed and additional drugs were not detected.”

Colby's mother, Gwen Wood, received the second toxicology report earlier this week from the state Office of the Medical Examiner. “I was happy to see that on the second toxicology report because that was one of the things I told the medical examiner should be tested for along with a few other possibilities like the mushrooms Jon Crow had told the private investigator about. Whether those other drugs were tested for, I don’t know, but Dr. Kramer told me the second report would state if those were found or not,” Wood said. “I asked Dr. Kramer to request testing for LSD and PCP, too, because I know those drugs are around sometimes in the college atmosphere, and let’s be honest; we are talking about Huntington, where so much drug abuse has been reported over the last 10 years or so. “To this point, though, I’ve left three messages and no one has gotten back to me so I can ask that question. I just want to make sure because I know Dr. Kramer said it would be expensive for the state to test for all of that, but he told me he was going to make the request because he felt it was important for us to get the answers we need,” she continued. “I don’t know if I would call the second toxicology report encouraging, but it did ease my mind a little bit because of everything I’ve read about what synthetic cannabis can do to someone’s brain and their thoughts. The second report also has further convinced me that someone knows something that they’re not telling.” Because of that strong belief, Wood, Shelby, and Wood’s sister, Brandie, traveled to Huntington for an unannounced visit to the house where Colby last lived. The excuse was to retrieve more of Colby’s belongings, but that was not the genuine intention. “What we really wanted to do was to get our foot in the door so we could take a look around and to go to Colby’s room,” Shelby explained. “We wanted to drop in unannounced, but no one was home, so I messaged Cole Clutter, and he said he would give me the key if I went to the bar where they were all at when I called. “But then his twin brother, Ryan, messaged me back and said they would meet me at the house, but he wasn’t the only one who met us. They all came including Jon Crow and Parker D’Antonio, and there wasn’t a second when we weren’t followed no matter where we went,” she recalled. “And when the three of us were talking, those boys interjected like they were trying to control the conversation. Maybe they thought we were too stupid to notice, but nobody is that stupid.”

Dalton made sure his family members had the chance to see as much as possible during the 13 days they visited.

5-5:30 p.m.?

Wood has self-examined the social media platforms Colby had joined in an effort to create a timeline for the day he passed away, and she can prove a trip to his gym and that her son attended both classes that afternoon. She also knows he played video games with friends before, of course, he suddenly felt ill and then just up and left. Online, Colby vanished, too. “I’ve collected as much information as I can as far as to what Colby was doing on the day he died, and when I look at everything, I feel something went very wrong between 5-5:30 p.m. I don’t know what it could have been, but that’s when his phone location was turned off for some reason, and then the fall took place around 7 p.m., and we have no idea why,” Wood explained. “Was there an altercation? Did he get hit in the back of his head? Is that what fractured his skull? Were they goofing off, and he fell? I feel something happened first and then someone got scared and they did something that led to Colby being on the interstate. “Did someone do something to save their own ass? I don’t know, but I really, honestly, can’t believe he jumped like the State Police reported. I know I’m his mother and that I am completely biased. I realize that, but I also knew my son,” she said. “That’s why we keep asking the questions we’re asking, and if that leads to someone coming after me because I’m not letting this go without the answers, that’s fine with me. I’m not going to back down.” In fact, Wood would be willing if an investigator wished to take another look at Colby Brown. “If they have to come and exhume Colby, I would absolutely agree to that because maybe there are answers to be found,” Wood said. “Who knows? If those answers are found, then every parent would find out what crazy things can happen that you can never be prepared for. If that’s how they can find the answers they need to finally solve what really happened, then yes, I would support more testing on him. “You hear all the time, R.I.P., meaning rest in peace, but I don’t believe that’s what he’s doing. There’s no way he’s resting in peace with so many people believing he took his own life. Anyone who knew Colby knows this didn’t happen the way the State Police investigators are saying,” she continued. “I know he’d want me and my family to keep going on this. We realize we can’t bring Colby back, but we also know we can bring Colby’s integrity back.”

Before Dalton left for his base in Japan, he and Colby had a long embrace goodbye.

What If It’s True?

The question had to be asked. What if, at the end of all of the questions and all of the searching for answers, the family finds out their beloved “Golden Boy” did take his own life? “I really don’t believe in the end that Colby committed suicide, but if that’s what we find out, then that’s something we’ll have to deal with then,” Wood said. “There are a lot of reasons why we don’t think that’s what happened because of what we know he did that day, like go to the gym and go to his two classes. I think he would have spent his savings or that he would have given the money to his sisters if that’s something he had planned, but he didn’t. “If that’s really what happened, though, and there’s proof of it, then we’ll have to find out why.” Colby, a talented athlete at Cameron High School who was the Dragons quarterback, did attempt to contend for playing time with the Thundering Herd, but soon after returning to Marshall for the second semester of his freshman year, he was told he was wasting his time and likely would never see playing time. In other words, Colby got cut, and his dream of playing Division I football was over. Could that reality have driven him to depression? “We didn’t know how he was going to take that because we thought he really wanted to play for Marshall,” Shelby said. “But, when I talked with him about it I told him that he was much more than a football player to those who really knew him. It was at that point when he told me that he was actually relieved because, after the longest time he was finally going to be just Colby and not Colby the athlete. “He was OK with it after we told him he didn’t let down his family, and he even told his high school coach that he was relieved because he knew there was another quarterback the same age who was much faster than he was,” she said. “He told Coach (Scott) Holt that he looked forward to just being himself and not Colby the football player. He was a pretty damn good person even without being such a good athlete.”

(Publisher’s Note: This is the fourth in a series of articles that examine the passing of 19-year-old Colby Brown, a 2018 graduate of Cameron High School, who attended Marshall University in Huntington. Colby was pronounced dead on Aug. 26, 2019, once paramedics treated him in the middle of Interstate 64. This chapter includes the text of the report from the hired private investigator. The headings in parenthesis are not in the report but included to divide the many topics in the document.)

Introduction

It’s Case #19-4532. First-day sophomore. Gym, two scheduled classes, Madden football, surrounded by friends passing a bowl of weed at Jon Crow’s house. Jovial yet competitive. Then suddenly silent? Then an abrupt departure after a bathroom visit? A closed Interstate 64 eastbound at the 10-mile marker. Huntington. Marshall University. EMS, West Virginia State Police. Found on a freeway. Fractured spine, pelvis, tibias, and femurs. Kaitlyn Arms. Prayers. His last breath. Aug. 26, 2019.

Colby Brown

“I really don’t know why that’s what I’ve run up against, but I just can’t seem to get any answers to the questions I’ve been asking,” said Gwen Wood, Colby’s mother. “I just don’t think they have really looked into anything other than what they think, and that is that Colby jumped off that bridge. “But even though I’m not getting much cooperation from the law enforcement personnel that responded to the scene, there have been a couple of moms reach out to me trying to help. One of them drove around looking for cameras that may have had a better view than what we’ve seen,” she said. “I just hope the investigators know that I’m not going anywhere until my legitimate questions are answered. Those people are paid with tax dollars, and not only do I pay my taxes, but we’re talking about my son.”

Gwen captured this image from a news station reporting on her son's death.

Report of Investigation

Date of Report: October 23, 2019 Report by: John P. Casey, Investigator In Re: Colby Brown – Date of Death August 26, 2019 Action Taken On Sept. 11, 2019, the undersigned met with Gwen Wood and Amy Hill regarding the opening of the investigation into the circumstances leading to the death of Wood’s son. The facts known at this point are that Colby Brown, a 19-year-old Marshall University sophomore, fell to his death at approximately 7 p.m., Aug. 26, 2019, after leaving the residence of a friend, John Crow. The decedent fell approximately 90 plus feet from the McCoy Road Bridge, Huntington, W.Va., onto the eastbound lane of I-64. Cpl. Whittington and Sgt. Joyce of the W.Va. State Police are reported to be the investigative agents assigned. The manner of death has been stated currently as a suicide.

(Witnesses)

Certain individuals were identified as potential witnesses to events and communications leading up to the final episode. They are as follows: Avery Darrow – Ms. Darrow reportedly was in communication with the decedent in the days prior to and on the day of the event.Darby Brown – Ms. Brown is the decedent’s sister and was in communication with him on the day of the event.Jonathan Crow – Mr. Crow was a friend of the decedent and was reportedly with him on the date in question and witnessed his behavior shortly before the decedent left the residence.Kaitlyn Arms – Ms. Arms witnessed the decedent falling from the bridge; she was with him at the scene until EMS arrived.Ryan Clutter – Mr. Clutter was a close friend of the decedent and his roommate and had communication with him on the day of the event.Colby Clutter – Mr. Clutter is the twin brother of Ryan, a friend of the decedent and had contact with him on the day prior to the event.Parker D’Antonio – Mr. D’Antonio was a roommate of the decedent and lives in the house with the Clutters.Nolan Pierce – Mr. Pierce was a friend of the decedent and a frequent workout partner.Rhys Rodgers – Mr. Rodgers is a roommate of Jonathan Crow and was present at the Crow residence on the date in question.Aden Yates – Mr. Yates is a roommate of Crow and was present at the residence on the date in question.Corey Purdue – Mr. Purdue is Crow's roommate and was present at the residence on the date in question.Tyler Roush – Mr. Roush was a friend of the decedent and allegedly was present at Crow’s residence on the date in question.John Gripe – Mr. Gripe is a friend of Tyler Roush and allegedly was present at Crow’s residence on the date of the event. Discussed also at this meeting was the possibility of unlocking Brown’s phone and computer as well as examining the phones and social media devices of those certain identified individuals to determine their location as well as any possible relevant information. Paul White, a cyber-security and computer specialist, was contacted to perform these tasks. On 9/11/19, the undersigned, Paul White, and Romayne Casey met with Darby Brown at the undersigned’s office. White downloaded certain communications from her phone relative to this matter. Ms. Brown also discussed her brother’s background in some detail; indicating that was generally happy, healthy and satisfied with his life, relationships, and educational pursuits. She also described him as a moderate user of marijuana and that he had discussed using hallucinogens such as “mushrooms.” She was unaware of any conflict he was having with anyone and was certain that he would never consider suicide for any reason. She knew of no enemies that he had.

Colby’s goal was to be the best uncle he could be to his nephew, Malcolm.

(Wheeling Visit)

On 9/13/19 the undersigned, White, and Casey traveled to Wheeling, WV, and met Avery Darrow. Ms. Darrow was interviewed and consented to the retrieval of certain communications from her telephone. Ms. Darrow indicated that she had known Colby Brown from school but had not personally seen him for quite a while; she had recently begun communicating with him via Snapchat and was planning a visit to see him at Marshall University the weekend of the 26th, August. She denied that they had begun dating and said they were only communicating via phone. She recalled the day in question, indicating that she had been on Snapchat with him and that he had ceased communication with her at approximately 5:00 p.m. She recalled seeing his picture (the top of his head) during the last communication; she felt that something strange was going on with him but did not know what it was. She attempted to continue her communication with him, but he did not answer. She did not know where he was during her last communique. She recalled Brown expressed that he was “looking forward” to seeing her for the weekend. And that he seemed generally happy. She recalled past conversations where he told her that he would like to try cocaine and mushrooms; she was aware that he smoked marijuana and drank but did not know how much he used.

From the ground to the top of the bridge measures 109 feet.

(Camera Search)

On 9/14/19 the undersigned and Romayne Casey traveled to Huntington, WV, and met with Matthew Christus, Goldy Auto Dealership. By pre-arrangement, Christus had obtained and copied video camera footage from the lot security cameras; the videos were examined on the date in question: it revealed nothing in terms of observing activity on the McCoy Road Bridge; the bridge is within the view, but it is situated at too great a distance to observe any detail; the footage does establish a probable time of the fall, in that I-64 eastbound traffic is observed ceasing movement at approximately 6:59 p.m. A copy of this footage is made part of this report. On this date, an extensive search was made for surveillance cameras of the residences along the path most likely taken by Brown on the date in question, and as well as the neighborhood around Crow’s residence. No cameras are found at all in proximity to Crow; there were numerous sightings of cameras along the route going up the mountain. All were confirmed to either be non-working or “decoy” cameras, and thus non-operational. A visit to the Amazon facility near Goldy Auto revealed a security camera pointed in the general direction of the scene that was observed. A subsequent meeting with the security officer on duty led to the undersigned being able to observe the camera angle. It barely shows the bridge area, but not enough detail for probable determination of critical detail. The undersigned was advised to return when the facility supervisor was present to obtain the authority to copy any video from the date in question. (This was subsequently done. The undersigned was informed that only Law Enforcement was authorized to access their system – a message was passed to Sgt. Joyce WVSP – he agreed to look at the footage and obtain what of it was relevant. A subsequent conversation with Cpl. Whittington revealed that they had looked at the footage and that it did not reveal anything of relevant value.)

At the time he passed, Colby was 6-2 and 150 pounds.

(Three Week Status Report)

On 9/16/19 the undersigned traveled to Huntington Detachment WV State Police and met with Sgt. John Joyce, and discussed the status of the investigation. Sgt. Joyce freely discussed his file but was unable to release any portion of it until the final review process is complete. He was still awaiting the results of the ME (Medical Examiner) Toxicology study, as well as the forensic examination of Brown’s phone. He indicated that often those tests can take months to complete due to the backlog and priority of cases. He very clearly indicated that the matter was not a homicide stating that there was no single bit of evidence to remotely suggest it. He also indicated that they had not ruled the matter a suicide either due to the extensive history developed about Brown’s life. They had found nothing to suggest even remotely that he was a suicide risk. They were heavily focusing on drug interaction and possible hallucinogenic drugs as an explanation. He indicated that the ME office had made the determination to be suicide. He indicated that they had independently investigated and interviewed all witnessed who attended the gathering at John Crow’s house during the hours prior to Brown’s death and could find no element of deception that would conclude that any foul play was a part of the incident. They were able to conclude that all participants smoked a quantity of marijuana. They were also aware that Brown and Crow had used mushrooms a few days prior to the event. The undersigned advised Sgt. Joyce, that John Crow has delivered a quantity of marijuana to Gwen Wood on the date of the funeral visitation, and that Ms. Wood had secured it in a house that she owned; and that she was uncertain about how to dispose of it. Crow had advised her that the marijuana belonged to Brown and that it was the same that they had been smoking on the day of the incident. Sgt. Joyce arranged for a trooper at the Moundsville detachment to meet with Ms. Wood and take custody of the marijuana and submit it to the forensics lab for testing. Joyce was advised about the Amazon camera; he indicated that he would visit them and attempt to obtain relevant footage.

The initial report conducted by law enforcement indicated that Colby Brown had taken his own life.

(Last Breath)

Subsequent to this the undersigned met with Kaitlyn Arms and spoke with her about the incident. She described seeing Brown’s body fall as she traveled east on I-64. She immediately stopped and went to him. She recalled hearing him breathing for a brief time after she got to his side. She prayed with him until he stopped breathing. She recalled the time as being approximately 7:02 p.m. She stayed at the scene until after speaking with EMS and Police.

Penny was living with his best friend, Colby, at the time the tragedy took place in Huntington.

(Always Happy)

On 10/17/19 the undersigned traveled to Huntington, WV. An attempt was made to meet with Sgt. Joyce and Cpl. Whittington. Neither was working. Messages were left for them to contact me. The undersigned contacted John Crow at his residence. Mr. Crow freely agreed to speak about the episode and his relationship with Brown. Crow indicated that he and Brown were extremely close and spent a great deal of time together off-campus. He also admitted that they used drugs together on a frequent basis. He stated that they often smoked marijuana and had recently used mushrooms – the Thursday prior to the date in question. Crow confirmed that Brown was extremely happy and popular with everyone who knew him. He never observed him in a depressed state, and he never mentioned any problems with Crow. On the day in question, he recalled Brown coming to his house to play video games (Madden) and party. Brown was in good spirits when he arrived at approximately 4:45 to 5:00 p.m.; he recalled that Brown was at the house for approximately 2 hours and that he had smoked marijuana that Brown had brought with him. Shortly before Brown left the house (Crow recalled that it was sometime around 6:45 or so), he recalled Brown seemed to be extremely disoriented and stated “that he did not feel like himself, and wasn’t feeling good”; he recalled that he was unsteady on his feet, and abruptly went downstairs to the bathroom, and was seen leaving by Aden Yates. Crow recalled that Yates, Rhys Rogers, and Corey Purdue were all playing with them and that everyone was having an enjoyable time. He also recalled that Brown had been on Snapchat with Avery Darrow while he was at the house, and at one point turned his phone off so that he could party and play Madden with them. No one knew where Brown was going, and that he left abruptly. He described his change in demeanor to be very strange, and certainly not the person that Brown was ordinarily.

Colby played a lot of sports, but was very proud to be the Dragon’s quarterback.

(Abrupt Departure)

Yates had indicated that he had seen him leave, that he had come from the bathroom and was either sweating or had splashed water on his face, due to observing that his shirt had moisture around the collar area. They checked the bathroom to see if he had thrown up but did not observe anything. He indicated that he then started calling friends to see if they had seen or heard from Brown because they were concerned that he may be ill. At some point Rhys Rogers heard sirens and observed EMS vehicles going up 8th Street; initially no one connected this to Brown leaving. Shortly afterward Crow and the rest got into vehicles and began to search the nearby vicinity to see if they could observe Brown or his vehicle; they also continued efforts to contact friends to inquire if anyone had heard from him. At approximately 10 p.m., Crow and his group observed some Huntington Police Officers at the Speedway Gas Station on 8th Street. They stopped and asked the officers if they had seen Brown (showing them a photo of him); the officers replied that they had just left the scene of a fatal accident on the interstate and that the victim was Brown. Rhys Rogers, Aden Yates, and Corey Purdue were also interviewed separately as well as jointly; they all stated the same information as Crow. There was no appearance of deception noted during any of these contacts, and that all information previously known was not in contradiction to what they had told the State Police or any others. All parties were extremely cooperative and freely answered without any hesitation.

Colby’s mother, Gwen Wood, was very proud of her OVAC All-Star son and her grandchild, Malcolm.

(Crow Complaint)

Before leaving the undersigned spoke with Crow privately about the delivery of marijuana to Gwen Wood. He admitted doing it and explained that he was returning all of Brown’s property that was at his house, including the marijuana. He indicated that he had recently been contacted by Cpl. Whittington about the matter, and that he had fully disclosed the same to him. Crow also showed some texts that he had received from one of the Browns family members, that he felt were offensive; consisting of repeated texts to him to tell the truth (implying that he was lying about the circumstances surrounding the event). He informed the state police of the nature of them, and indicated that he loved Brown, and was insulted at the prospect that he would ever hold back the truth from anyone. He stated that he was not feeling harassed for no reason. Crow indicated a willingness to speak with the undersigned for any reason in the future. Subsequent to this, the undersigned met with Ryan Clutter at his residence at 17th Street. No one else was at home. Ryan Clutter confirmed that Brown was at all times cheerful and loved by all who knew him, and by all appearances was having a great time at college. Clutter indicated that he had known Brown from childhood, and that in addition to being an athlete, he was always the same, never depressed about anything. He stated they all got along well at the house and that there were never any disagreements. He also confirmed that Brown frequently smoked marijuana and had heard that he even used mushrooms with Jon Crow on the days previous to his death. Clutter indicated that he last saw Brown on the day in question at around 4:30 p.m. as he was leaving to go to Crow’s house. He said at the time, Brown appeared to be in a normal mood and not high. He recalled later receiving calls about whether he knew where Brown was and subsequently joined others in searching for him throughout the evening. He recalled meeting with others at the service station later in the night and discovering from the police that Brown had been killed. Clutter could posit no reason for what had occurred to Brown; he felt strongly that everyone was a friend to Brown and could not imagine that anyone would want to injure him. He had spoken with Crow multiple times about the matter; and about Crow’s recent experience of being told that he was “hiding” or not forthcoming with information: Clutter felt that this was unfair, that no one, including Crow, was holding any information back.

Colby and his nephew Malcolm spent a lot of time together because, as his sister Shelby insists, family was the young man’s top priority.

(The Boys)

On 10/20/19 and per client request the undersigned, Paul White, and Romayne Casey traveled to Huntington to meet with Crow, Rogers, Yates, Perdue, Ryan Clutter, Cole Clutter, Parker D’Antonio, and Nolan Pierce: White would be examining their phones with their permission and downloading any pertinent communications, while repeat interviews would be concluded. Crow, Rogers, and Perdue easily complied with all requests for phone information and followed up with additional interviews. There was nothing new developed from this visit to change any aspect of what is currently known. Yates was home but sent word he was unavailable. It is the opinion of the undersigned that Yates, and possibly others are growing weary of being interviewed. Especially considering the recent exposure of communications to Jon Crow, suggesting that he is not telling the truth.

Colby earned a Promise Scholarship after he was graduated from Cameron High School in 2018.

(The Day)

The undersigned and company then met with Ryan Clutter, Cole Clutter, Parker D’Antonio and Nolan Pierce at Clutter’s residence on 17th Street. Nolan Pierce confirmed that he had worked out with Brown at approximately 12 p.m. the day of the incident and that Brown appeared to be in usual form. He did not have any problems with his workout, was not complaining of not feeling well, and was looking forward to school. He recalled that they worked out for about an hour. He did not know where Brown was going after the workout and assumed that he was going to class. He also confirmed that Brown was a heavy marijuana user and liked to party with Jon Crow. Ryan & Cole Clutter, along with Parker D’Antonio confirmed that Brown was over at Crow’s on a frequent basis and often stayed over there when he was too high to drive; they stated that he partied there because they had a “drug-free” residence and did not permit any drugs to be kept or used at the house on 17th Street. Brown respected the rule and kept his drug activity at Crow’s house. They recalled that he smoked marijuana on a nearly daily basis and had recently used mushrooms with Crow. They do not recall him having any difficulty or acting strangely as a result. Ryan last saw Brown at approximately 4:30 p.m. as he left for Crow’s house. Cole last saw Brown the night before and was up late talking with him until early morning, noting that there was nothing unusual about Brown. Pierce last saw Brown at approximately 1 p.m. the day of the incident. D’Antonio last saw Brown at approximately 11 a.m. before Brown left for his workout with Pierce. And recalled being at a fraternity meeting that night when he received a message asking if he had seen Brown. Like the others, they were not informed about what had occurred until the meeting with police officers at the Speedway Service Station at approximately 10 p.m. All phones were examined by White and pertinent information was collected; noting none of the information sheds any new light on the issue.

This is the McCoy Road Bridge that is approximately three miles from the apartment where Colby was playing video games with friends.

(October Status Report)

On 10/22/19 the undersigned spoke with Sgt. Joyce, he informed that the Toxicology Report was finished and was available, nothing that there was an extraordinary level of THC in Brown’s blood sample; also a brief discussion was had comparing information received from potential witnesses; there was a consensus that all information received by the undersigned was essentially the same as the state police received contemporaneously to the event. Nothing has changed the direction of the investigation or their opinion that Brown accidentally fell from the bridge (not a suicide as listed by the ME), and that there was certainly no suggestion or evidence of foul play (no homicide). 10/23/19 the final Medical Examiner report was received by the undersigned; the toxicology report reveals an excessively high level of THC (3 types) in the sample; the injuries indicated are all consistent with a fall from a bridge onto black-top pavement from an approximate height of 95 feet. There are no photographs supplied; it is assumed that there were none taken of the final examination. The Medical Examiner’s representative has informed the undersigned that an existing blood sample from Brown will be kept for a mandated one-year period. A sample exists for further independent blood testing should the family desire it. Conclusions Colby Brown’s telephone is still with the WV State Police Forensics Unit and will be available when they have concluded their examination. It is uncertain when that will be complete. Paul White’s examinations of the various phones owned by those certain individuals permitting the examinations did not conclude with any information adverse to the current understanding of the facts in this matter. There did not appear to be any contradictions of statements previously made by any of the parties involved. His forensic examination of Brown’s computer revealed a history of drug use, primarily marijuana, suggesting that Brown, as well as others, were more than just casual users of the drug. There was nothing developed during the examination that shed any greater light on the critical matter at hand. There was nothing found on this device that indicated there was any deceptive communication or practice pertaining to the immediate issue. Concentrating on only the facts developed and known at this juncture, it is more than likely that Colby Brown experienced some type of psychotic event brought on by the ingestion of an excess of very strong marijuana; causing him enough confusion and possible hallucinations, so as to not be completely aware of his surroundings. There are multiple medical studies addressing this phenomenon; albeit previously noted to be uncommon, but now occurring more frequently since the advent of the development of stronger cannabis strains in recent years; along with the more liberal attitudes toward usage, causing greater and freer participating in use than past years. Today’s marijuana is quite often 10 times if not a hundred times more potent in THC than marijuana used prior to the '70s and '80s. It is the opinion of the undersigned based upon the facts known at present, that Colby Brown’s death was accidental; there is no evidence of suicide; there is no evidence of anyone conspiring to do him harm or killing him certainly no homicide. There is not evidence of any person attempting to cover up any circumstances about his death. John P. Casey, Investigator Allegheny Highlands Group, LLC

Colby was a leader on and off the field for the Cameron Dragons.

Nothing New?

(Publisher’s Note: This is the fourth in a series of articles that examine the passing of 19-year-old Colby Brown, a 2018 graduate of Cameron High School, who attended Marshall University in Huntington. Colby was pronounced dead on Aug. 26, 2019, once paramedics treated him in the middle of Interstate 64. This chapter includes the text of the report from the hired private investigator. The headings in parenthesis are not in the report but included to divide the many topics in the document.)

Introduction

It’s Case #19-4532. First-day sophomore. Gym, two scheduled classes, Madden football, surrounded by friends passing a bowl of weed at Jon Crow’s house. Jovial yet competitive. Then suddenly silent? Then an abrupt departure after a bathroom visit? A closed Interstate 64 eastbound at the 10-mile marker. Huntington. Marshall University. EMS, West Virginia State Police. Found on a freeway. Fractured spine, pelvis, tibias, and femurs. Kaitlyn Arms. Prayers. His last breath. Aug. 26, 2019.

Colby Brown

“I really don’t know why that’s what I’ve run up against, but I just can’t seem to get any answers to the questions I’ve been asking,” said Gwen Wood, Colby’s mother. “I just don’t think they have really looked into anything other than what they think, and that is that Colby jumped off that bridge. “But even though I’m not getting much cooperation from the law enforcement personnel that responded to the scene, there have been a couple of moms reach out to me trying to help. One of them drove around looking for cameras that may have had a better view than what we’ve seen,” she said. “I just hope the investigators know that I’m not going anywhere until my legitimate questions are answered. Those people are paid with tax dollars, and not only do I pay my taxes, but we’re talking about my son.”

Gwen captured this image from a news station reporting on her son's death.

Report of Investigation

Date of Report: October 23, 2019 Report by: John P. Casey, Investigator In Re: Colby Brown – Date of Death August 26, 2019 Action Taken On Sept. 11, 2019, the undersigned met with Gwen Wood and Amy Hill regarding the opening of the investigation into the circumstances leading to the death of Wood’s son. The facts known at this point are that Colby Brown, a 19-year-old Marshall University sophomore, fell to his death at approximately 7 p.m., Aug. 26, 2019, after leaving the residence of a friend, John Crow. The decedent fell approximately 90 plus feet from the McCoy Road Bridge, Huntington, W.Va., onto the eastbound lane of I-64. Cpl. Whittington and Sgt. Joyce of the W.Va. State Police are reported to be the investigative agents assigned. The manner of death has been stated currently as a suicide.

(Witnesses)

Certain individuals were identified as potential witnesses to events and communications leading up to the final episode. They are as follows: Avery Darrow – Ms. Darrow reportedly was in communication with the decedent in the days prior to and on the day of the event.Darby Brown – Ms. Brown is the decedent’s sister and was in communication with him on the day of the event.Jonathan Crow – Mr. Crow was a friend of the decedent and was reportedly with him on the date in question and witnessed his behavior shortly before the decedent left the residence.Kaitlyn Arms – Ms. Arms witnessed the decedent falling from the bridge; she was with him at the scene until EMS arrived.Ryan Clutter – Mr. Clutter was a close friend of the decedent and his roommate and had communication with him on the day of the event.Colby Clutter – Mr. Clutter is the twin brother of Ryan, a friend of the decedent and had contact with him on the day prior to the event.Parker D’Antonio – Mr. D’Antonio was a roommate of the decedent and lives in the house with the Clutters.Nolan Pierce – Mr. Pierce was a friend of the decedent and a frequent workout partner.Rhys Rodgers – Mr. Rodgers is a roommate of Jonathan Crow and was present at the Crow residence on the date in question.Aden Yates – Mr. Yates is a roommate of Crow and was present at the residence on the date in question.Corey Purdue – Mr. Purdue is Crow's roommate and was present at the residence on the date in question.Tyler Roush – Mr. Roush was a friend of the decedent and allegedly was present at Crow’s residence on the date in question.John Gripe – Mr. Gripe is a friend of Tyler Roush and allegedly was present at Crow’s residence on the date of the event. Discussed also at this meeting was the possibility of unlocking Brown’s phone and computer as well as examining the phones and social media devices of those certain identified individuals to determine their location as well as any possible relevant information. Paul White, a cyber-security and computer specialist, was contacted to perform these tasks. On 9/11/19, the undersigned, Paul White, and Romayne Casey met with Darby Brown at the undersigned’s office. White downloaded certain communications from her phone relative to this matter. Ms. Brown also discussed her brother’s background in some detail; indicating that was generally happy, healthy and satisfied with his life, relationships, and educational pursuits. She also described him as a moderate user of marijuana and that he had discussed using hallucinogens such as “mushrooms.” She was unaware of any conflict he was having with anyone and was certain that he would never consider suicide for any reason. She knew of no enemies that he had.

Colby’s goal was to be the best uncle he could be to his nephew, Malcolm.

(Wheeling Visit)

On 9/13/19 the undersigned, White, and Casey traveled to Wheeling, WV, and met Avery Darrow. Ms. Darrow was interviewed and consented to the retrieval of certain communications from her telephone. Ms. Darrow indicated that she had known Colby Brown from school but had not personally seen him for quite a while; she had recently begun communicating with him via Snapchat and was planning a visit to see him at Marshall University the weekend of the 26th, August. She denied that they had begun dating and said they were only communicating via phone. She recalled the day in question, indicating that she had been on Snapchat with him and that he had ceased communication with her at approximately 5:00 p.m. She recalled seeing his picture (the top of his head) during the last communication; she felt that something strange was going on with him but did not know what it was. She attempted to continue her communication with him, but he did not answer. She did not know where he was during her last communique. She recalled Brown expressed that he was “looking forward” to seeing her for the weekend. And that he seemed generally happy. She recalled past conversations where he told her that he would like to try cocaine and mushrooms; she was aware that he smoked marijuana and drank but did not know how much he used.

From the ground to the top of the bridge measures 109 feet.

(Camera Search)

On 9/14/19 the undersigned and Romayne Casey traveled to Huntington, WV, and met with Matthew Christus, Goldy Auto Dealership. By pre-arrangement, Christus had obtained and copied video camera footage from the lot security cameras; the videos were examined on the date in question: it revealed nothing in terms of observing activity on the McCoy Road Bridge; the bridge is within the view, but it is situated at too great a distance to observe any detail; the footage does establish a probable time of the fall, in that I-64 eastbound traffic is observed ceasing movement at approximately 6:59 p.m. A copy of this footage is made part of this report. On this date, an extensive search was made for surveillance cameras of the residences along the path most likely taken by Brown on the date in question, and as well as the neighborhood around Crow’s residence. No cameras are found at all in proximity to Crow; there were numerous sightings of cameras along the route going up the mountain. All were confirmed to either be non-working or “decoy” cameras, and thus non-operational. A visit to the Amazon facility near Goldy Auto revealed a security camera pointed in the general direction of the scene that was observed. A subsequent meeting with the security officer on duty led to the undersigned being able to observe the camera angle. It barely shows the bridge area, but not enough detail for probable determination of critical detail. The undersigned was advised to return when the facility supervisor was present to obtain the authority to copy any video from the date in question. (This was subsequently done. The undersigned was informed that only Law Enforcement was authorized to access their system – a message was passed to Sgt. Joyce WVSP – he agreed to look at the footage and obtain what of it was relevant. A subsequent conversation with Cpl. Whittington revealed that they had looked at the footage and that it did not reveal anything of relevant value.)

At the time he passed, Colby was 6-2 and 150 pounds.

(Three Week Status Report)

On 9/16/19 the undersigned traveled to Huntington Detachment WV State Police and met with Sgt. John Joyce, and discussed the status of the investigation. Sgt. Joyce freely discussed his file but was unable to release any portion of it until the final review process is complete. He was still awaiting the results of the ME (Medical Examiner) Toxicology study, as well as the forensic examination of Brown’s phone. He indicated that often those tests can take months to complete due to the backlog and priority of cases. He very clearly indicated that the matter was not a homicide stating that there was no single bit of evidence to remotely suggest it. He also indicated that they had not ruled the matter a suicide either due to the extensive history developed about Brown’s life. They had found nothing to suggest even remotely that he was a suicide risk. They were heavily focusing on drug interaction and possible hallucinogenic drugs as an explanation. He indicated that the ME office had made the determination to be suicide. He indicated that they had independently investigated and interviewed all witnessed who attended the gathering at John Crow’s house during the hours prior to Brown’s death and could find no element of deception that would conclude that any foul play was a part of the incident. They were able to conclude that all participants smoked a quantity of marijuana. They were also aware that Brown and Crow had used mushrooms a few days prior to the event. The undersigned advised Sgt. Joyce, that John Crow has delivered a quantity of marijuana to Gwen Wood on the date of the funeral visitation, and that Ms. Wood had secured it in a house that she owned; and that she was uncertain about how to dispose of it. Crow had advised her that the marijuana belonged to Brown and that it was the same that they had been smoking on the day of the incident. Sgt. Joyce arranged for a trooper at the Moundsville detachment to meet with Ms. Wood and take custody of the marijuana and submit it to the forensics lab for testing. Joyce was advised about the Amazon camera; he indicated that he would visit them and attempt to obtain relevant footage.

The initial report conducted by law enforcement indicated that Colby Brown had taken his own life.

(Last Breath)

Subsequent to this the undersigned met with Kaitlyn Arms and spoke with her about the incident. She described seeing Brown’s body fall as she traveled east on I-64. She immediately stopped and went to him. She recalled hearing him breathing for a brief time after she got to his side. She prayed with him until he stopped breathing. She recalled the time as being approximately 7:02 p.m. She stayed at the scene until after speaking with EMS and Police.

Penny was living with his best friend, Colby, at the time the tragedy took place in Huntington.

(Always Happy)

On 10/17/19 the undersigned traveled to Huntington, WV. An attempt was made to meet with Sgt. Joyce and Cpl. Whittington. Neither was working. Messages were left for them to contact me. The undersigned contacted John Crow at his residence. Mr. Crow freely agreed to speak about the episode and his relationship with Brown. Crow indicated that he and Brown were extremely close and spent a great deal of time together off-campus. He also admitted that they used drugs together on a frequent basis. He stated that they often smoked marijuana and had recently used mushrooms – the Thursday prior to the date in question. Crow confirmed that Brown was extremely happy and popular with everyone who knew him. He never observed him in a depressed state, and he never mentioned any problems with Crow. On the day in question, he recalled Brown coming to his house to play video games (Madden) and party. Brown was in good spirits when he arrived at approximately 4:45 to 5:00 p.m.; he recalled that Brown was at the house for approximately 2 hours and that he had smoked marijuana that Brown had brought with him. Shortly before Brown left the house (Crow recalled that it was sometime around 6:45 or so), he recalled Brown seemed to be extremely disoriented and stated “that he did not feel like himself, and wasn’t feeling good”; he recalled that he was unsteady on his feet, and abruptly went downstairs to the bathroom, and was seen leaving by Aden Yates. Crow recalled that Yates, Rhys Rogers, and Corey Purdue were all playing with them and that everyone was having an enjoyable time. He also recalled that Brown had been on Snapchat with Avery Darrow while he was at the house, and at one point turned his phone off so that he could party and play Madden with them. No one knew where Brown was going, and that he left abruptly. He described his change in demeanor to be very strange, and certainly not the person that Brown was ordinarily.

Colby played a lot of sports, but was very proud to be the Dragon’s quarterback.

(Abrupt Departure)

Yates had indicated that he had seen him leave, that he had come from the bathroom and was either sweating or had splashed water on his face, due to observing that his shirt had moisture around the collar area. They checked the bathroom to see if he had thrown up but did not observe anything. He indicated that he then started calling friends to see if they had seen or heard from Brown because they were concerned that he may be ill. At some point Rhys Rogers heard sirens and observed EMS vehicles going up 8th Street; initially no one connected this to Brown leaving. Shortly afterward Crow and the rest got into vehicles and began to search the nearby vicinity to see if they could observe Brown or his vehicle; they also continued efforts to contact friends to inquire if anyone had heard from him. At approximately 10 p.m., Crow and his group observed some Huntington Police Officers at the Speedway Gas Station on 8th Street. They stopped and asked the officers if they had seen Brown (showing them a photo of him); the officers replied that they had just left the scene of a fatal accident on the interstate and that the victim was Brown. Rhys Rogers, Aden Yates, and Corey Purdue were also interviewed separately as well as jointly; they all stated the same information as Crow. There was no appearance of deception noted during any of these contacts, and that all information previously known was not in contradiction to what they had told the State Police or any others. All parties were extremely cooperative and freely answered without any hesitation.

Colby’s mother, Gwen Wood, was very proud of her OVAC All-Star son and her grandchild, Malcolm.

(Crow Complaint)

Before leaving the undersigned spoke with Crow privately about the delivery of marijuana to Gwen Wood. He admitted doing it and explained that he was returning all of Brown’s property that was at his house, including the marijuana. He indicated that he had recently been contacted by Cpl. Whittington about the matter, and that he had fully disclosed the same to him. Crow also showed some texts that he had received from one of the Browns family members, that he felt were offensive; consisting of repeated texts to him to tell the truth (implying that he was lying about the circumstances surrounding the event). He informed the state police of the nature of them, and indicated that he loved Brown, and was insulted at the prospect that he would ever hold back the truth from anyone. He stated that he was not feeling harassed for no reason. Crow indicated a willingness to speak with the undersigned for any reason in the future. Subsequent to this, the undersigned met with Ryan Clutter at his residence at 17th Street. No one else was at home. Ryan Clutter confirmed that Brown was at all times cheerful and loved by all who knew him, and by all appearances was having a great time at college. Clutter indicated that he had known Brown from childhood, and that in addition to being an athlete, he was always the same, never depressed about anything. He stated they all got along well at the house and that there were never any disagreements. He also confirmed that Brown frequently smoked marijuana and had heard that he even used mushrooms with Jon Crow on the days previous to his death. Clutter indicated that he last saw Brown on the day in question at around 4:30 p.m. as he was leaving to go to Crow’s house. He said at the time, Brown appeared to be in a normal mood and not high. He recalled later receiving calls about whether he knew where Brown was and subsequently joined others in searching for him throughout the evening. He recalled meeting with others at the service station later in the night and discovering from the police that Brown had been killed. Clutter could posit no reason for what had occurred to Brown; he felt strongly that everyone was a friend to Brown and could not imagine that anyone would want to injure him. He had spoken with Crow multiple times about the matter; and about Crow’s recent experience of being told that he was “hiding” or not forthcoming with information: Clutter felt that this was unfair, that no one, including Crow, was holding any information back.

Colby and his nephew Malcolm spent a lot of time together because, as his sister Shelby insists, family was the young man’s top priority.

(The Boys)

On 10/20/19 and per client request the undersigned, Paul White, and Romayne Casey traveled to Huntington to meet with Crow, Rogers, Yates, Perdue, Ryan Clutter, Cole Clutter, Parker D’Antonio, and Nolan Pierce: White would be examining their phones with their permission and downloading any pertinent communications, while repeat interviews would be concluded. Crow, Rogers, and Perdue easily complied with all requests for phone information and followed up with additional interviews. There was nothing new developed from this visit to change any aspect of what is currently known. Yates was home but sent word he was unavailable. It is the opinion of the undersigned that Yates, and possibly others are growing weary of being interviewed. Especially considering the recent exposure of communications to Jon Crow, suggesting that he is not telling the truth.

Colby earned a Promise Scholarship after he was graduated from Cameron High School in 2018.

(The Day)

The undersigned and company then met with Ryan Clutter, Cole Clutter, Parker D’Antonio and Nolan Pierce at Clutter’s residence on 17th Street. Nolan Pierce confirmed that he had worked out with Brown at approximately 12 p.m. the day of the incident and that Brown appeared to be in usual form. He did not have any problems with his workout, was not complaining of not feeling well, and was looking forward to school. He recalled that they worked out for about an hour. He did not know where Brown was going after the workout and assumed that he was going to class. He also confirmed that Brown was a heavy marijuana user and liked to party with Jon Crow. Ryan & Cole Clutter, along with Parker D’Antonio confirmed that Brown was over at Crow’s on a frequent basis and often stayed over there when he was too high to drive; they stated that he partied there because they had a “drug-free” residence and did not permit any drugs to be kept or used at the house on 17th Street. Brown respected the rule and kept his drug activity at Crow’s house. They recalled that he smoked marijuana on a nearly daily basis and had recently used mushrooms with Crow. They do not recall him having any difficulty or acting strangely as a result. Ryan last saw Brown at approximately 4:30 p.m. as he left for Crow’s house. Cole last saw Brown the night before and was up late talking with him until early morning, noting that there was nothing unusual about Brown. Pierce last saw Brown at approximately 1 p.m. the day of the incident. D’Antonio last saw Brown at approximately 11 a.m. before Brown left for his workout with Pierce. And recalled being at a fraternity meeting that night when he received a message asking if he had seen Brown. Like the others, they were not informed about what had occurred until the meeting with police officers at the Speedway Service Station at approximately 10 p.m. All phones were examined by White and pertinent information was collected; noting none of the information sheds any new light on the issue.

This is the McCoy Road Bridge that is approximately three miles from the apartment where Colby was playing video games with friends.

(October Status Report)

On 10/22/19 the undersigned spoke with Sgt. Joyce, he informed that the Toxicology Report was finished and was available, nothing that there was an extraordinary level of THC in Brown’s blood sample; also a brief discussion was had comparing information received from potential witnesses; there was a consensus that all information received by the undersigned was essentially the same as the state police received contemporaneously to the event. Nothing has changed the direction of the investigation or their opinion that Brown accidentally fell from the bridge (not a suicide as listed by the ME), and that there was certainly no suggestion or evidence of foul play (no homicide). 10/23/19 the final Medical Examiner report was received by the undersigned; the toxicology report reveals an excessively high level of THC (3 types) in the sample; the injuries indicated are all consistent with a fall from a bridge onto black-top pavement from an approximate height of 95 feet. There are no photographs supplied; it is assumed that there were none taken of the final examination. The Medical Examiner’s representative has informed the undersigned that an existing blood sample from Brown will be kept for a mandated one-year period. A sample exists for further independent blood testing should the family desire it. Conclusions Colby Brown’s telephone is still with the WV State Police Forensics Unit and will be available when they have concluded their examination. It is uncertain when that will be complete. Paul White’s examinations of the various phones owned by those certain individuals permitting the examinations did not conclude with any information adverse to the current understanding of the facts in this matter. There did not appear to be any contradictions of statements previously made by any of the parties involved. His forensic examination of Brown’s computer revealed a history of drug use, primarily marijuana, suggesting that Brown, as well as others, were more than just casual users of the drug. There was nothing developed during the examination that shed any greater light on the critical matter at hand. There was nothing found on this device that indicated there was any deceptive communication or practice pertaining to the immediate issue. Concentrating on only the facts developed and known at this juncture, it is more than likely that Colby Brown experienced some type of psychotic event brought on by the ingestion of an excess of very strong marijuana; causing him enough confusion and possible hallucinations, so as to not be completely aware of his surroundings. There are multiple medical studies addressing this phenomenon; albeit previously noted to be uncommon, but now occurring more frequently since the advent of the development of stronger cannabis strains in recent years; along with the more liberal attitudes toward usage, causing greater and freer participating in use than past years. Today’s marijuana is quite often 10 times if not a hundred times more potent in THC than marijuana used prior to the '70s and '80s. It is the opinion of the undersigned based upon the facts known at present, that Colby Brown’s death was accidental; there is no evidence of suicide; there is no evidence of anyone conspiring to do him harm or killing him certainly no homicide. There is not evidence of any person attempting to cover up any circumstances about his death. John P. Casey, Investigator Allegheny Highlands Group, LLC

Colby was a leader on and off the field for the Cameron Dragons.

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