WYOMING, Mich. — Candles burned brightly Monday night as loved ones of 16-year-old Cortez McConer gathered at Godwin Heights High School to mourn his death.
"He was a beacon of light bringing joy, kindness and connection to everyone around him," said Godwin Heights High School Prinicipal, Chad Conklin.
Cortez's basketball coach, Bernard Varnesdeel, described Cortez as a guy with a kind heart who loved to play basketball.
"There's one thing about Tez that, like I mentioned, he's a hooper, but that boy loved to hoop, if it was an open gym or anything, he was trying his best to hoop," said Varnesdeel.
Cortez went missing on Oct. 26. He was a passenger in a stolen vehicle. Officials said he ran away from police with his friends—who were found, but he hadn't been heard from since.
Nearly a month later, on Nov. 22, Cortez' body was found in a heavily wooded area near Rockford. Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom said the medical examiner ruled his death an accidental drowning.
"Cortez left an endearing mark on our lives and the community. This evening we not only mourn his passing, but celebrate the life he lived and the legacy he leaves behind," said Conklin.
Godwin Heights Public Schools Superintendent William Fetterhoff said in a letter to parents that the district's crisis response team is available to help students and staff impacted by Cortez' passing.
The candlelight vigil was full of Cortez' friends and family—many were holding up green balloons with the number eleven, which was his basketball number.
Varnesdeel said as they mourn his loss, they know Cortez' legacy will live on forever.
"Long live Tez is definitely something we're going to live by. One way to celebrate Tez is, you know, he played hard. He played really hard. One way to celebrate him is to make sure that we do those things honor him by playing hard and going out to be the best version that we can be," said Varnesdeel.