More than 100 classmates, community members and city officials gathered on evening of Tuesday, Nov. 5, at the water tower in New Richmond where a 14-year-old boy lost his life on Monday, Nov. 4. 

The candlelight gathering to remember student Gregory Joseph Kaiser was organized on Facebook by NRHS students. Several people lit candles at the base of the water tower and released balloons. The boy's mother, stepfather and grandmother were in attendance. 

READ GREGORY KAISER'S FULL OBITUARY

At 7:46 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 4, the New Richmond High School freshman's body was discovered under the water tower behind the New Richmond Fire Station at 106 S. Arch Ave., according to a New Richmond Police Department press release.

An autopsy was performed by the Ramsey County (Minn.) Medical Examiner's Office on Nov. 4, and a provisional report indicates the death was caused by "multiple traumatic injuries due to probable jump from height." Authorities are still conducting a investigation to determine the precise cause of death. No foul play is suspected, according to the press release.

Investigators initially could not identify the boy, because he was not carrying identification. After the autopsy was performed, it was determined the boy was in his early to mid teens with brown hair and green eyes.

"Working with this information, the New Richmond School District was contacted and assisted officials in trying to identify the deceased male," according to the press release. "Throughout the day, Detectives from the New Richmond Police Department and the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Department followed-up on possible leads provided by the New Richmond High School and the New Richmond Middle School."

Later in the day, the search extended to Somerset and Polk County. It wasn't until later in the afternoon that detectives were able to identify the boy based on information provided by New Richmond High School. A chaplain from the St. Croix County Chaplain’s Program contacted the boy's family.

New Richmond School District Superintendent Jeff Moberg issued the following statement on the morning of Tuesday, Nov. 5:

“The New Richmond School District and community suffered a tragic loss Nov. 4, when a high school freshman, passed away. The thoughts and prayers of the entire New Richmond School District and community go out to the family and all others impacted by this loss.

“The New Richmond High School staff will provide extra grief counselors and support at the school to help students, family and friends deal with their thoughts and feelings associated with the loss.”

According to the CullenCrea Funeral Home website, a Mass of Christian Burial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Stillwater, Minn. A visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12, at Cullen Crea Funeral Home in New Richmond and one hour prior to mass in the church social hall. Kaiser will be buried at Guardian Angels Catholic Church Cemetery in Oakdale immediately following the service. Guardian Angels Catholic Church will host a luncheon after the burial.

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