Community mourning death of teen from Quinault Nation

Thursday, April 12, 2012  

A young member of the Quinault Nation was found dead on Wednesday, just days before she was to take part in the popular Daffodil Festival in Puayllup, Washington.

Alexandria Tyler Cole, 18, was a senior at the Chief Leschi High School. She was selected to represent the school in the annual Daffodil parade this Saturday.

“She was a good person,” Janee Weathersby, a neighbor of Cole's, told The Tacoma News Tribune. “She was always there when you needed her.”

Cole was found dead of an apparent suicide at her home, which was run by the Puyallup Tribe. A tribal spokesperson said the FBI was investigating because the incident occurred in Indian Country.

Chief Leschi will still participate in the Daffodil parade. and a photo of Cole will be placed on her seat on the Queen’s Float.

Get the Story:
Daffodil Festival princess found dead; friends recall her as warm and active (The Tacoma News Tribune 4/12)
Chief Leschi Schools Daffodil princess dies (The Tacoma News Tribune 4/11)