Gaming and Culture

We have a sad ending to the story of Brandon Crisp, the Ontario, Canada, boy who ran away from home after his dad took away his Xbox console.

Brandon Crisp

(Credit: Barrie Police)

The body of the 15-year-old, who had been missing since October 13, was found on Wednesday by deer hunters in a heavily wooded area about a mile or so away from where his bicycle was found two weeks earlier, according to police and press accounts.

An autopsy is scheduled for Friday, but based on preliminary evidence, police do not suspect foul play, according to news reports.

Crisp, according to his father and others, was hooked on the online game Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, which led to concern that he may have run off to join fellow gamers. His story has captivated online communities around the globe--gamers and parents alike--who have been offering assistance, debating the addictive nature of online games, and are now leaving online condolences. A Facebook search on his name currently turns up 87 groups ranging in name from "Help Find Brandon Crisp!!!!" to "R.I.P. Brandon Crisp."

Xbox maker Microsoft also got involved in the case by agreeing to help investigators and doubling the amount being offered for information leading to Crisp's return to 50,000 Canadian dollars.

Crisp ran away on the day of Canadian Thanksgiving after having an argument with his parents, according to the police in his small town of Barrie, Ontario. His father, Steve Crisp, told local media that he had taken away his son's Xbox after noticing changes in behavior, such as skipping school, stealing money, and ignoring his studies.

See also: InformationWeek, "Xbox 'addict' Brandon Crisp found dead"; The Toronto Star, "Brandon Crisp found dead"; Macleans, "What happened to Brandon?"; and The Globe and Mail, "This is not the ending we wanted."