Coroner: Autopsy planned after Dodge County student collapses, dies

The death comes during Dodge County High School’s homecoming week.

EASTMAN, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Dodge County High School is mourning the loss of 17-year-old junior Hadden Kelly, who died Monday morning, according to Dodge County Coroner Joe Smith.

Smith, who said Kelly was his nephew, confirmed he collapsed “around 8:30 or 9 a.m.” while with friends who were rolling a home, a prank also known as “TPing” where toilet paper is tossed into trees and across yards. A friend found him unresponsive, Smith said. An autopsy is scheduled in Atlanta.

The death comes during Dodge County High School’s homecoming week, according to the district’s website.

Dodge County High School announced Kelly’s death in a Facebook post.

“There are no words to express the sadness that our DCHS family feels for the loss of junior Hadden Kelly,” the post said. “Please join us in prayer for his family, friends, and our DCHS Family. ‘Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts.'”

Dodge County Schools also shared condolences.

“Our hearts are broken,” the post said. “Please keep Hadden’s family and friends in your prayers during this extremely difficult time.”

Several other area school districts shared the posts and offered support to Dodge County.

Smith described his nephew as a great kid who never met a stranger and said he believed Kelly would one day be a professional golfer.