Underage Drinking Party Attended By Bethesda Teen Who Died

(Updated at 12 p.m. Wednesday): BETHESDA, MD — The Walt Whitman High School senior whose body was found in the woods went missing after he left a party Saturday night, police confirmed.

Navid Nicholas Sepehri, 17, of Radnor Road in Bethesda, was found dead in a stream in a ravine near Bannockburn Swim Club on Laverock Lane Sunday, police said.

Sepehri was reported as a missing person after he didn't return home from a party Saturday night. Detectives are investigating whether or not he was under the influence of alcohol, police said.

Bethesda police officers responded to the report of a possible underage drinking party and disorderly persons outside of a home in the 6500 block of Elgin Lane Saturday night. Officers arrived to the home at about 10:30 p.m. and saw a group of about six juvenile males standing in the roadway.

Some of the party-goers ran away as the officers approached them. Police talked to the boys who stayed, and one of them was later identified as Sepehri, police said. One of the males told police they were at a party when the parents realized that "uninvited guests had brought alcohol to the party," police said. The parents asked everyone to phone their parents for a ride home.

Officers recognized that Sepehri may have been under the influence and confirmed with the boys that Sepehri would leave when they left, police said.

See Related: Body Of Missing Teenager Found In Bethesda Woods: Police

Police said Sepehri's father went into the police station at about 3:30 a.m. Sunday, looking for his son. Officers filed a missing person report for Sepehri Sunday afternoon. A police search was initiated, aided by cell phone information for Sepehri’s phone provided by his family, police said.

Sepehri's body was located at about 4:58 p.m. Sunday in the 6500 block of Laverock Lane, about seven blocks from the party.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of his death.

In a letter sent to parents, Principal Alan Goodwin said: "Initial information suggests Navid's death may have been accidental, but we do not have details at this time."

"For those of you who knew Navid, we ask that you remember and celebrate his love of art and commitment to others. For those of you who did not know Navid, we ask that you support Navid's friends and family during this time of loss," the letter states.

This remains an ongoing death investigation. There are additional details of this death investigation that cannot be confirmed at this time, police said.

Anyone with information who has not spoken with detectives is urged to call the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070.

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