Missing 14-Year-Old Girl's Death Ruled A Murder

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By Krystal Shull
By John W. Davis

Story Published: Mar 20, 2010 at 5:03 AM EDT

Story Updated: Mar 20, 2010 at 6:25 PM EDT

WHITLEY COUNTY, Ind. (Indiana's NewsCenter) - The Whitley County Coroner says 14-year-old Kaylin Doggendorf was murdered by being strangled to death.

Her body was discovered Friday, less than a mile from her Pierceton, Indiana home.

Joshua Wright, 17, has been arrested and will be charged in her death.

Wright is currently in the Whitley County Jail and will likely have a hearing early next week in the Whitley Circuit Court.

Kaylin, who went missing from her home Wednesday evening was believed to have left on her own free will according to the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department.

Autopsy results released Saturday afternoon revealed the teenage girl was murdered by strangulation and suffocation.

Meanwhile, Whitley County community members say they are learning their small town is not immune from tragedy.

"Just because you live in a small town is no sign that bad things can't happen. I'm very sorry for the family," said Marcia Clupper.

"Too many things have happened that we just need to be alert, be careful where we send our kids and when we send our kids," said Sharon Pequignot.

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4:46 AM concerned wrote ...

who is this joshua wright? I personally know a joshua wright and he only 12.Is this joshua truley 17?Or 12?

4:22 AM Angiano family wrote ...

They used to live near us, me and my sister tiffany used to hang out with her at the green appartments and she was always happy and always had a smile on her face, our condolences go out to her family. R.I.P kaylin.

4:01 AM Shaleah Minnix wrote ...

I didnt know her personally but my brother nolan is in her grade and we are both very sad. It is a shame that things like this happen. My prayers go out to the Doggendorf family

3:45 AM Scared mother wrote ...

My daughter was friends with Kaylin. She played softball with her and even was just texting her on tues. She warned her of this Josh was not a good person to hang out with. Josh was stalking my daughter for the last year. This is very scary and too close to home. My daughter is severly upset and has been crying all day about this whole situation. My prayers are with the Dogendorfs to make it through this horrible tragedy. I am glad he will not be able to hurt anyone else.

2:59 AM bobbi wrote ...

to kaylins parents as a mother im sorry for your loss.. i really hope the person responsible for this crime is prosicutied to the fullest..

2:32 AM josh angiano wrote ...

she went to my school i didnt really know her that well but she will be very missed.keep her family in your prays.RIP Kaylin

1:43 AM Hope Yates wrote ...

Kaylin was one of my best friends, we never talked but we were still friends, and when i found out i cried. she was a very good girl and she would be the last one who i though was going to be murdered. I hope this Josh Wright guy is in prision for life!

1:40 AM Laura wrote ...

I heard about this story and it crushed my heart. It's always a tragedy when someone so young is killed. My heart goes out to her family. May she rest in peace.

1:05 AM Mary wrote ...

My heart goes out to this family and to all of her friends. Big Dog road my bus and was a great girl, the boy that murder her is my neighbor. I have a lot of mixed feeling here but one thing is for sure big dog will always be in my heart.

12:35 AM Ellyana Blue wrote ...

Kaylin was one of my best friends. I am so devasted. idk if i can even deal with this.i'v had to deal with another loss of my friends dad and the death of Kaylin is hard to deal with. Iv cried and cried and im just shocked how this Josh could do such a thing to this wonderful person. She will be severly missed.

12:12 AM RHONDA wrote ...

Hey Allen Swygart and Ryan Koenig. You little punks must be in elementary school still. I just wondered because you just don't seem to be very intelligent. Usuall your parents will be getting a call very soon.

12:09 AM Sarah wrote ...

Kaylin and I hung out a couple times when we were younger, and even then she was a wonderful person my mother and I both are praying for her family and Josh's.

12:04 AM Concerned Mommy wrote ...

Has it been said how this Joshua was connected to Kaylin? Were they dating? I am just trying to make sense of this all. So tragic to lose such a young lady so close to home.

11:51 PM Spencer wrote ...

I didnt know Kaylin personally, but I could tell she was a nice person. I will pray for the family, I am so sorry.

11:35 PM Ashleyymoser wrote ...

It all seems crazy. Just Monday we were laughing and joking around and now she is gone. I just pray for her family. They have to be a reck. I'm so very sorry.*

10:34 PM Aysia Easterly wrote ...

Kaylin and i weren't close but she was a cool person... R.I.P Kaylin.You will be in my families prayers

9:33 PM angry with the immature wrote ...

to those of you who think its funny to write rediculaus things knock it off. you should think about how youd feel if this was some one you loved and cared about!grow up mythought and prayers go out to kaylins family as a mother my self i couldnt imagine loosind my son and its just horriblw wat this poor family is going through may god be with you during this time!!!

9:31 PM Anonymous wrote ...

I agree this needs to be monitored more closely. The comments made by two individuals were not only offense but just down right cruel. As the mother of 3 daughters I can only begin to imagine your pain. I am so incredibly sorry for you loss and hope God will guide you thru your journey of healing and to the family of the young man allegedly informed and currently in jail you will be in my prayers as well. May God bless you all in this terribly difficult time.

9:28 PM Shannon wrote ...

I met her at Camp Lewis Bible Camp. She was very friendly and fun to be around. I cannot believe this happened. Prayers for her family and friends. RIP

9:08 PM Anonymous wrote ...

*loss

9:07 PM Ashley wrote ...

I do not personally know Kaylin, but i have seen her around school and on the bus. She looked like she had lots of friends and a very happy young lady. I am sincerly sorry for the families involved in such a lose. I will keep everyone in my prayers.

8:36 PM brianna pratt wrote ...

i met kaylin once because she came with her friend jacklyn to our movie theater, kent theatre. She was very kind, and i will be praying for her family. i know i can't do much more, but i know God can by giving comfort to the family in these hard times. God bless the family.

8:28 PM Anonymous wrote ...

God Bless all involved!! I am tramatized to hear something like this happened so close to home. I will keep Katilyns family and friends in my prayers! God bless everyone of you and also the family of Josh.

7:54 PM Josie wrote ...

I did not know Kaylin very well. But I knew she was a wonderful person to be around. When I found out about kaylin's disappearance I could not believe it. Kaylin’s little sister, Tianna is in my grade. And a kid Said something that was un-called for, and she started crying. When she ran to the bathroom, I followed her To make sure she was okay. I told her that everything will be okay, and they will find her. I gave her a big hug and made sure she got to class. When I found out that Kaylin was found dead, I was devastated. I could not imagine what the family is going through right now. My thoughts and prayers are with the Family and friends of Kaylin. (Tianna I know what you are going through. My family and I went through something like this before, and I just want you to know that I will always be here for you if you need me for anything.)

7:41 PM 7th grader WMS wrote ...

she will dearly be missed..i talked to her somtimes on the bus,an she had aawesomepersonality!!

6:09 PM bridget dawson:( wrote ...

well, she was in girl scouts with me forever and ever. she was a little sweetheart. and i am a grade ahead of her but its sad to know her pretty personally and find this out about her. my prayers go out to her family

6:09 PM Anonymous wrote ...

i did know kaylin i lived near her, when she moved didnt get a whole lot to talk to her but shes a really nice person and a great friend R.I.P kaylin, and again my condolences go out to the family.

6:06 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Kaylin touched many lives and will be missed greatly. I didn't know her, but my daughter, son, and nieces and nephews went to bible camp with her and they are devastated

6:05 PM zach olinske wrote ...

kaylin was one of my friends and she will be dearly missed my prayers go out to her family

5:47 PM sick and tired wrote ...

I AGREE WITH ANGERED CITIZEN!! You 2 are sick individuals! I can not believe you could write those type of comments! Your stupidity shined through today :(

5:39 PM Angered citizen wrote ...

We live near by, don't know the family. But our hearts goes out to all of them. What a terrible tragic loss. In addition I think Wise INC TV NOW should better screen these comments. The comments from Ryan Koeing and Allen Swygart were uncalled for and cold, what if this was your sister or mother. It shows pure ignorance and what low or no class that you have. You owe this family a personal appology and all who you have insulted. Prayers and thought go out to Kaylins family Sincerely your country block neighbors

5:31 PM Matt wrote ...

The KIDS on this page-need some guidance and nurturing as well! I pray for BOTH families.Sorry for your LOSS.

4:43 PM some one wrote ...

i didnt know kaylin personally but i had spoken with her once or twice. she seemed to be a wanderful person full of enthusiasm.i am in school with her sister and i never really talked to her.when i heard about kaylin's disappearance i walked right up to Tianna and hugged her. my heart goes out to them

3:53 PM ryan koenig wrote ...

I fondle myself when I'm alone...

3:53 PM 7th grader wrote ...

i am a seventh grade student at kaylins school. i have seen her around and i know that she was very nice though i didnt know her personally. this is a horrible story and i will certainly keep her and her family in my prayers. so ssad.

3:42 PM allen swygart wrote ...

I like pork chops!

3:02 PM 8th grade parent wrote ...

My son is an 8th grade student and is completely saddened and shocked. He talked about having a class with Kaylin. We will keep the family in our prayers. What a sad time this is. My heart goes out to the family.

2:50 PM Breanna Welsh wrote ...

Well I just moved to this school. Since ive been there she was one of the few people that I actually got along with. I cant believe this happened. She will most definetly be missed. I am so sorry!

2:42 PM saddened. wrote ...

why would someone say she left on her own free will.....a romeo and juliet situation when they and WE all don't really know! sounds like...not saying it was but sounds like controlling and abuse may have been a factor! see if im wrong on this! prayers go out to her family and her sisters. S.E.M.

2:38 PM elizabeth hardesty wrote ...

kaylin went to my school, we are in the same grade. i have two or three classes with her a day. i didn't really know kaylin that well, but i know she was a very nice girl.i was suprised when i found out that she was missing. i'm very sorry for her family and her friends. i will she will be missed at school. i will keep her family in my prays.

2:04 PM Jessica Tolson wrote ...

Kaylin was one of my close friends, she will be dearly missed, she wask kind, caring, loving, and smart. Kaylin was always smiling and cracking jokes, she always knew how to make me feel better. Kaylin was a great friend, we always had a great time together. All her friends at school will miss her dearly. I know i will, pray for her sisters, and mom and dad, they have suffered a great loss. I love you kaylin like a sister, i will miss you so much.

1:57 PM Jessica Tolson wrote ...

Kaylin will be dearly missed at school i was one of her friends and i can't believe that something this horrbile could happen to a person like her. She was kind, caring, and smart. I loved her like a sister, i will miss her so much and so well a lot of people at school, pray for her sisters and her mom and dad, they have just suffered a great loss. I will miss you so much Kay

1:52 PM devistated wrote ...

I am sorry for every ones loss, I happen to know the 17 year old, and when I read this itreally scared me.. I never thougth he would do something like this

1:02 PM Paula wrote ...

This is horrible. She was such a sweet girl who had so much going for her. My prayers go out to her family. Also remember the Wright family. They have to make sense of this also.

1:01 PM Lettin the authorities do their job wrote ...

It seems to me as if it is too early to pass judgment on this case and the choices she made. It has been less than 24 hours since she was found and the investigation is ongoing. WHAT IF this wasn't a Romeo and Juliet situation?

12:10 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Amber Alerts are only issues in cases of abduction. Evidence in this case lead to the judgment that the child had left of her own free will with Mr Wright both were minors and it appeared that the two had run away with each other, ie a Romeo and Juliet situation.

11:48 AM Anonymous wrote ...

whats the critera for issueing an alert?

11:43 AM Anonymous wrote ...

i'm confused...why wasn't an amber alert issued??? am i missing something? it might not have saved her but you never know

11:27 AM mom of 2 wrote ...

I prayed for Kaylin's safe return,unfortunatly I still now have to pray for her family.

11:16 AM DEE wrote ...

This kind of heartbreak shouldn't happen to anyone. my prayers go out to family , and all her friends.

11:07 AM beau marsh wrote ...

she will be missed at school RIP kaylin you will be greatly missed

10:55 AM Becki wrote ...

What a horrible outcome, such heartbreak for her family and community. What could this beautiful young child have possibly done to ever deserve this? And at 17, why would this boy even think of such evil? Very sad for all involved.

10:33 AM Concerned Resident wrote ...

Sad? This is HORRIBLE! What has this community come to?

10:11 AM Beckie wrote ...

Very sad story but at least she was found and the family can get some closing. Our hearts go out to them.

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