'We will miss you': students at Corey Brown's school decorate his locker in a touching tribute

On Monday, Corey Brown’s fellow students at Miller Middle School paid tribute to him by sticking notes onto his locker. Most of them used green paper as it was the teenager’s favorite color.

Brown’s number 147 locker notes weren’t the only way his classmates honored him. Some students were also seen wearing green clothing items.

On Sunday, Corey Brown, 13, was found dead after he went missing from his home for five days last week. Messages by his fellow Miller Middle School schoolmates covered his locker at school.

One note read, “We will miss you so much.” While another was written, “Rest in peace. You were an awesome friend and a great person and I wish I just could have said bye.”

On a nearby wall, a large green piece of paper was filled with dozens of messages to honor the teenager. Some students went as far as wearing green clothing to pay tribute to Brown.

Marshalltown Schools Director of Special Services Matt Cretsinger said, “The way things are going this morning, we’re not hearing a whole lot from kids.” He explained that this was normal for middle school age children as, “They often try to share amongst each other rather than adults.”

He added, “I think a lot of kids are still dealing with the initial shock of everything.” The director revealed that he expected more students to open up to the school staff as the days go by.

However, the Area Education Agency and Center Associates mental health staff has remained available for any of the students' needs. The center sent a crisis support unit to the school last week when the teenager went missing.

Last Tuesday, Brown left his home in Marshalltown after he and his parents, Craig and Michelle, had a “disciplinary discussion.” According to Police Chief Michael Tupper, at the time, his parents had taken away his cell phone as part of his punishment.

The teenager was last seen in a neighborhood called Jackie Terrace at 11:15 p.m. The boy left during a blinding snowstorm with temperatures around 15 degrees.

According to the Marshalltown Police Department, Brown was found dead in a secluded area on the west side of Marshalltown.