BREAKING: Corey Brown preliminary autopsy reveals likely cause of death

A preliminary autopsy of the missing Iowa teen found dead this weekend reportedly shows that he likely died from a fall.

As CrimeOnline previously reported, Corey Brown, 13, was missing for five days when investigators found his body in a secluded area in Marshalltown, where he lived with his family. Surveillance video footage showed that Brown had left his home, unbeknownst to his parents, late Tuesday night, following an argument with his parents who are believed to have taken his cell phone as a disciplinary measure.

Authorities have characterized the argument as a “normal parental discussion” and said there was “nothing extraordinary” about it. The boy left home during severe cold weather and an expected snowstorm, according to multiple reports.

A large-scale search led authorities to Brown’s body late Sunday morning. Marshalltown Police Chief Mike Tupper told the Times Republican on Wednesday that preliminary autopsy results indicate Brown fell from a communication tower, possibly on the same night he left home.

Tupper told the news outlet that Brown had suffered a traumatic, unsurvivable injury due to the fall.

“We don’t know why Corey was climbing the tower, what happened, how he fell off the tower,” Tupper said. “All I know is that he was there and he fell. Nobody was there to talk to Corey so we obviously can’t know his frame of mind.”

The police chief, who had previously cautioned against speculation and blame in Brown’s death and disappearance, added: “We ask that everyone is cautious in how they talk about this and try to stick to the facts. I realize that people are going to have questions, but the family has been through a lot.”

Toxicology test results are still pending. CrimeOnline will provide further updates when more information is available.