One of the most innocent high school pranks ended in tragedy for a teenage golf prodigy.
Hadden Kelly, a 17-year-old student at Dodge County High School in Eastman, Ga., died on Monday after collapsing while out with friends taking part in a homecoming prank.
Kelly was found unresponsive in the yard of a home that the group of friends were TP-ing, according to the local NBC affiliate.
TPing is the act of throwing rolls of toilet paper over houses, trees and bushes, a common prank among teens.
Dodge County Coroner Joe Smith — Kelly’s great-uncle — said it remains unclear why the teen collapsed and that autopsy results to determine his cause of death are pending.
Kelly had been regarded as his school’s most talented athlete, scoring two top-10 finishes at tournaments this year, according to the Georgia State Golf Association. He had been set to compete in the coming state golf tournament.
Smith described the teen as charismatic, outspoken and a “jam-up” golfer, touting his relative as a future professional.
“If he didn’t pass, I swear he would’ve gone pro,” Smith told 13WMAZ. “Never met a stranger, talked to everybody. A great kid.”
Kelly’s sudden, mysterious death rocked the community, which offered an outpouring of support.
“Hadden LOVED golf and the Golf Team surely loves Hadden. Hadden was our team leader, always encouraging and forever speaking positive words to all around him,” the school’s golf team posted on Facebook, also sharing the teen’s unwavering support of his teammates.
https://www.facebook.com/dodgecountyhighschoolindians/posts/1289702859833285
“We love Hadden and we love his family! Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. Let’s take this example of selflessness into our own lives and little by little make the world a better place!”
Dodge County High School officials also offered condolences to the teen’s devastated family.
“There are no words to express the sadness that our DCHS family feels for the loss of junior Hadden Kelly,” the school said in a Facebook post.
“Please join us in prayer for his family, friends, and our DCHS family. ‘Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts.’”