Family, friends of teen hold vigil

ZIONSVILLE, Ind. (WISH) - Hamilton County authorities hope an autopsy sheds some light on the death of an 18-year-old.

Officers say 18-year-old Dean Barrett had spent the night with a friend in the Homeplace area of Carmel.

Police say the friend woke up and found Barrett unresponsive and took him to St. Vincent Hospital on 86th Street Wednesday morning.

Authorities say Barrett died shortly after he arrived at the hospital.

Family and friends gathered Thursday night to remember Barrett. More than 100 people turned out for a candlelight vigil outside of Zionsville High School.

"You lose a friend that is so close to you and you don't know what to do," said a friend. "You turn around and make every memory you had, and you embrace it, and you live it over again, and make sure he is still here all the time."

Barrett's friends spelled out his name on the football stadium fence and shared stories about the teen.

Barrett's father shared with the crowd the last conversation he had with his son.

"He looked over to me and said, 'I love you, Dad,' and I said, 'I love you too, Dean.' He walked out the door and went to see the Lord," said Brian Barrett.

It is unclear why Barrett died. Barrett's father says there were no signs of foul play or drugs. He did say his son was undergoing medical treatment for a sinus problem.

Full results from an autopsy could take weeks.