*UPDATED RELEASE- ARREST MADE*

The Indiana State Police are now able to release the identify of the teen victim in this afternoon’s death investigation, as Blake Boese, 17,  of Auburn. 

The Indiana State Police are also able to announce that an arrest has been made in this investigation.  It was reported earlier this afternoon that investigators had a 19 year old person of interest brought in for questioning.  However, after furthering their investigation, detectives developed more detailed information that led to identifying Coltin Drew Herzog, 21, of Auburn as the suspect alleged responsible for the death of Boese.

Detectives brought Herzog in for questioning late this evening without incident, and then transported him to the DeKalb County Jail, where he was booked into custody on a preliminary charge of Murder.

This remains an active investigation.  No further information is available for release.

(Auburn, IN) (5-23-24) –  Detectives with the Indiana State Police Fort Wayne Post are currently investigating the death of an Auburn teenager.  

At approximately 1:50pm this afternoon, the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department communications received a 911 call reporting a possible stabbing incident in the 1100 block of Irene Street, located on the west side of Auburn.  Auburn police officers were  first arriving on scene.  Officer immediately located an unresponsive (seventeen year old) male laying in the yard of 1108 Irene Street.  He was suffering from what appeared to be a possible stab wound.  

The Auburn officers, along with arriving Auburn Fire Department and EMS personnel began lifesaving medical care, however their attempts were unsuccessful.  The teenager was pronounced dead at the scene by the DeKalb County Coroner’s Office.

An adult male was identified as a person of interest and has been taken in for questioning.  Investigators believe this was an isolated incident between the two males.

At the request of the DeKalb County Prosecutor, detectives from Fort Wayne Post were requested to take the overall lead in the investigation.  Those detectives are being assisted by an ISP Crime Scene Investigator,  Auburn Police Department, the DeKalb County Coroner’s Office, and the DeKalb Prosecutor’s Office. 

The identification of the seventeen year old victim is being withheld at this time pending family notifications.  

The Coroner has scheduled an autopsy for tomorrow morning at the Northeast Indiana Forensic Center in Fort Wayne.

This is an active criminal investigation by the Indiana State Police.   There is no further information to release at this time. As further information becomes available for release, such as the victim identity, or if an arrest is made, an update to this release will be sent out.

Once the overall investigation is complete, it will be turned over to the DeKalb County Prosecutor for review.