(Publisher’s Note: A new chapter to this series of stories will publish in the near future so we believe in order to get new readers to discover the series, the best thing to do is to re-publish it beginning today and continue during this coming week. One of the main reasons why Gwen Wood, her daughters, and her friends and family agreed to tell this story was to raise more questions in hopes additional information about this accident would flow their way … and that has taken place – but not enough – thus far.)
Finally, the cell phone.
The mother of Colby Brown, the 19-year-old who died the first day of his sophomore year at Marshall University, finally was given her son’s cell phone this week. For many reasons, holding the cellular device felt as if she were reconnected to a life lost unexpectedly and, to her, without a full explanation.
Gwen Wood was in Charleston when she received a call from one of the investigators with the State Police informing her that finally she could take possession of the one piece of property she wanted most. She has the shoe her son lost after he fell 109 feet from an overpass spanning Interstate 64, and Wood also possesses the sheet used to cover Colby once he was pronounced deceased. His car was returned to Cameron, too, as were his clothes and other belongings from his home in Huntington.
But were there clues, maybe even secrets, on his cell phone?
“I waited eight months, so I couldn’t get there fast enough, and luckily I was still in Charleston that day,” Gwen explained. “Honestly, I didn’t know if I would ever get it back after talking to some other parents that have gone through similar situations with their child because they never got their child’s phone back.
“The whole way there, I just kept thinking something else was going happen, and I wasn’t actually going to get the phone, so I tried not to get my hopes up too high,” she admitted. “But I did get his phone, and we still are going through the phone. I want to get a professional to go through it along with his laptop because there might be something.”
Face in His Phone
He was 19, academically engaged, and socially active. Colby Brown was an extrovert and, as long he was prepared for his classes, he was more than willing to join family and friends for fun.
These days, the majority of entertainment arrangements were organized via texting or on social media platforms, and that meant his cell phone was a lifeline for leisure, young love, and a lot of laughter.
“He was always on it; that’s for sure,” his mother confirmed. “To a young person, a smartphone is an extension of them. It’s a bank full of their friendships, conversations, videos and pics; it shows you who they are and makes us feel closer to him.”
That is why, at least a few times per week, Wood has attempted to reach one of the two troopers investigating his passing on Aug. 26, 2019. Most often, though, she says her messages have gone unreturned.
Until earlier this week, that is.
“Sgt. Joyce told me that it was not a priority because it was not ruled a homicide and that when forensics got to it, they would do it,” she explained. “I tried to ask what they were investigating since it was ruled a suicide, but the first time he hung up on me.
This time, though, he said it would be in the report when I got it and went back into the detachment, slamming a locked door behind him,” Wood reported. “They have not given me any information, and it’s been over eight months.”
An Investigating Mother
Frustrated and tormented are mild adjectives when describing how Wood has felt since her son died following the first day of his sophomore year at Marshall University. He went to the gym, attended his classes, and then joined friends for video games in the late afternoon.
According to those at the gathering, though, Colby suddenly vanished after smoking a little marijuana with the group. From that point in time, details are sketchy.
“The first thing I started looking at was the times of phone calls and messages on Aug. 26, then his locations,” Wood explained. “It confirmed he went to class, came home and took his dog (Penny) for a walk; then Jon Crow face-timed him at 4:19 p.m. That’s why he left his apartment and went to Jon’s until 6:51 p.m.
“His Snapchat was put in ghost mode, though, and Jon called his phone at 6:49 p.m. and again at 6:51 p.m.,” she said. “Then nothing after 6:51 p.m. I believe then his phone was powered off because nothing comes up after that for location. I haven’t found anything yet where Colby responded to anyone after getting to Jon’s house at 4:25 p.m., and that was not like him.”
Her search is far from over as far as the cell phone is concerned, and that is because Colby always actively communicated with her, his two sisters, and with his father. Once Wood was in possession of her son’s cell, some hope returned to their hearts.
“The moment I had it in my hand, it was a relief,” she said. “Everyone has been hopeful that the phone would provide us with some pieces of the puzzle. We had our doubts though, if we would ever get it. So, yeah, it’s a huge relief because being able to see all his photos and videos and the things that he enjoyed makes us feel a better connection to Colby.”
Case Closed?
Not just yet, and that means Wood must endure more waiting. She was able to retrieve the smart phone because the forensic exam was finished, but now she awaits the final report.
“The state police said they had not completed their investigation when I asked, but I feel it has been closed to them since Aug 26th, when they prematurely ruled it a suicide,” Wood said sadly. “Now I have to wait on the police report to be mailed to me. I was told I could get it, but I have to wait for it to come through the USPS.
“But now I am just going to continue looking through his phone for things we may have missed. We just got the phone, and at times it gets too overwhelming, and I just have to take a break,” added Colby’s mother. “We will continue searching for answers and hoping someone reaches out to us with information that might let us know something. The not knowing is the worst. Honestly, it’s a struggle for all of us to just get through a day.”
