Peabody boy dies at Boxford summer camp

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By Robin Kaminski
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
http://www.thedailyitemoflynn.com/news/view.bg?articleid=12935

PEABODY
-- The mysterious death of 14-year-old Mark Eugenio who died Monday
evening at a Lawrence General Hospital, is being investigated after he
complained of illness at Camp Rotary in Boxford.

     Camp Director Rich Cowdell said he and the rest of the staff are "a little perplexed about what happened."

     "This
is a mystery to us here at the camp and it sounds like the death could
possibly be an undiagnosed, pre existing condition that he already
had," he said. 
     Cowdell said Eugenio went to the camp infirmary after having watched a volleyball game, complaining of feeling faint.

     "He
said he felt as if he was going to pass out, so we took his vitals and
had him lie down," he said. "A short time later the situation got worse
and he had a hard time breathing, and then his pulse stopped. As far as
we know, he didn't have a history of allergies or pre-existing
conditions that we were aware of."

     While
"nothing is being ruled out" according to Cowdell regarding Eugenio's
death, he said he "didn't believe drugs were the cause."

     "The
nurses at the hospital were suspicious about the death and couldn't
figure out what had happened either," he said. "An autopsy is being
done right now and if they do a toxicology test too, then it could take
about two or three weeks for the results to come back."

     According
to the Essex County District Attorney's office, "there are no signs of
foul play" and they are currently waiting for the medical examiner's
report. 
     Cowdell
said the Eugenio family has been involved with the camp for the past
seven years, with two other children attending the camp.

     "A
younger brother and an older sister who is a camp counselor were here
at the time on Monday," he said. "The younger brother has since
returned to the camp so that he won't have to be involved in the
grieving process at home."

     Peabody
High School principal, Patrick Larkin said counselors would be
available at the high school, the Center School, and Higgins Middle
School, where Eugenio had attended on Wednesday and Thursday from 9
a.m. to 2 p.m.

     "You
always want to have a positive start for the school year, and this year
it will be a sad start," he said. "After things settle down a bit, we
will be touching base with the family, but right now they need to spend
time together."

     Camp
Rotary is an overnight camp for boys and girls ages seven to 15, and is
owned and operated by the Greater Lynn Rotary Club.

Peabody boy dies at Boxford summer camp

14-Year-Old Dies At Boxford Summer Camp