Update on missing student

Cole Burbank

The search for 16-year-old Running Start student Cole Burbank, who was reported missing in mid-April, came to a sad end on the evening of Friday, April 21, when Burbank’s body was found in Chehalis, Washington.

Authorities confirmed on April 26 that the body was that of Burbank. The Lewis County Coroner’s Office is handling the death investigation, and the Camas Police Department has been told that it will be several weeks before the manner and cause of his death is confirmed. (This article will be updated when that information is released.) However, a representative of the Camas Police Department stated that no foul play is suspected. They add that they do not believe that any other students are in danger.

A public memorial service for Burbank has been scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 29, at Camas High School.

In a campus-wide email sent Monday to all students and employees, Clark College President Bob Knight wrote, “We are heartbroken by this news and our deepest sympathies go out to Cole’s family, friends, teachers, and classmates.”

The college’s Counseling and Health Center opened up walk-in crisis hours for the week to offer help and support. During these times, students may come in without scheduling an appointment to meet with a counselor. The schedule is as follows:

• Monday, April 24: 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
• Tuesday, April 25: 11:30 am – 4:00 pm
• Wednesday, April 26: 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
• Thursday, April 27: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm, and 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
• Friday, April 28: 10:00 am – 11:00 am, and 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

These walk-in hours do not affect any previously scheduled appointments, and new appointments can be made this week as well. These services are always available at no cost to students. The Counseling and Health Center is located in HSC 124 and its phone number is 360-992-2614.

This article updated April 27 to reflect that Cole Burbank’s body has been positively identified by the Lewis County Coroner’s Office.