Autopsy released on teen killed by falling tree in South Lake Tahoe, investigation ongoing

When Dejon Smith left home after school on Dec. 11, like any teen facing a snow day the following day, he told his parents he was headed out for the evening. He did not tell them where he was going or with whom he would be.

DeShawn and Taneka Smith, Dejon's parents, were concerned when, at the end of the evening, they hadn't heard from their son.

They called the South Lake Tahoe Police Department just before 11 p.m. An officer went to the home to take a report and Within five minutes of clearing the initial call, Dejon’s identifying information was entered into the Missing Unidentified Persons System (MUPS) which is a national data base used by law enforcement. Nearly 23 percent of juveniles who run away from South Lake Tahoe are located in other jurisdictions, police said.

Investigating officers conducted a search around Dejon’s neighborhood at the time of the initial report but were unable to find him. His parents had no further investigative leads at this time to indicate where Dejon may be found.

His parents had reported that Dejon had gone missing in the recent past and he had been located in the valley area of Douglas County.

The following day, Dejon’s parents received a phone tip which involved a specific juvenile who may have been in Dejon’s company at the time he went missing. Dejon’s parents forwarded this information to the police who discovered this juvenile was in Carson City.

This juvenile admitted to police that he had been in Dejon’s company during the storm “checking out houses” in a neighborhood near a meadow. The juvenile described hearing a very loud crash but denied seeing a tree fall. He was frightened and ran away.

He believed Dejon likely did the same, but he had not seen him since. This juvenile provided a detailed description of the location for a search. This included the description of a house with a fallen tree behind it. Officers responded to this area and located a house with a fallen tree behind it as described. Several officers responded and conducted a search of this area but, Dejon could not be found. Officers called Dejon’s father to the scene to advise him of the circumstances and to show him the area as described.

News and social media sources helped generate a wide-spread concern and focus to find Dejon. On Saturday December 13, friends and members of the Smith family continued to search. Searchers found the body crushed under a large heavy pine tree to the rear of a vacation residence backing to a meadow, almost 1/2 mile away from the previously searched location. The body was surrounded by several branches of various sizes such that the body was almost completely concealed from view.

The pine tree was approximately 4 feet in diameter at its base. At about 12 feet high, the tree grew into three separate trunks and continued with mature branches to a height of approximately 60 feet. The tree broke about 9 feet above the ground. The remaining 50 feet fell toward the house, smashing through a wrought iron fence surrounding the back yard of the residence in which Dejon’s body was found.

The top of the tree struck a second story balcony of the home as it fell. The tree was too large and heavy to be removed manually from the body. Firefighters had to use chain saws to section the tree into several pieces to manage the removal of the body.

A forensic autopsy conducted in Sacramento on Wednesday revealed that the death was caused by blunt force impact, and that death was instantaneous.

The Smith family asked SLTPD to provide the following statement, "The investigation is ongoing; the Smith family extends their sincere thanks to the businesses, schools and families who have supported them through this difficult time."

Investigators still have several individuals to question. The number, identity and activity of those in Dejon’s company at the time of this tragedy are still being investigated and confirmed. The evidence, statements and autopsy results all indicate this event was the result of a tragic act of nature, and that no foul play was involved in the demise of Dejon Smith. Tips can be delivered to SLTPD (530) 542-6100 or to Lake Tahoe Secret Witness at (530) 541-6800.

Meanwhile, memories were shared Thursday in South Lake Tahoe, from white ribbons and thoughts shared on banners to an evening candlelight vigil.

It marks one week since Smith went missing after spending time with friends during a storm with high winds and rain. His body was found under a fallen tree two days later.

A few hundred people attended the candlelight vigil in a meadow near where the accident occurred. Many shared their memories of Dejon. "All the Vikings will miss you and we will always love you and we will see you again," said a fellow STHS football played. Others spoke of growing up with Dejon and of times they'd shared.

oth parents spoke, dad DeShawn and mom Taneka, and thanked the community for their support.
Co-workers, friends, neighbors and community members walked into the meadow. Among them was John Marchini of South Tahoe Refuse (STR) and Deanna Schouten, of the local family owned Grocery Outlet, the Smith's employers. STR is going to cover the costs of the funeral while Grocery Outlet is covering some expenses.

During the day, students at South Tahoe High and South Tahoe Middle School let written memories on banners at the school. Students at STHS distributed white ribbons for people to wear.

"I am extremely proud of our students and community for the support and willingness to help one another with our grieving processes," STHS Principal Chad Houck said.