Town mourns loss of circus boy
10-year-old apparently died in accidental hanging
SEATTLE – For thousands of people who attended the weekly farmers market in Bellingham, he was the circus boy – entertaining visitors with juggling, magic tricks and acrobatics delivered with unbelievable aplomb.
But 10-year-old Caleb Kors died suddenly this week while apparently rushing around the house to construct a new circus costume, leaving Bellingham residents grief-stricken over a boy they knew mainly for his four-club juggle toss – performed with a wisecrack and a rakish smile – and for his fearless compulsion to perform.
Whatcom County sheriff’s officials said Caleb died in an accidental hanging – though exactly what happened still is unclear. “There did not appear to be anything suspicious or nefarious,” Chief Criminal Deputy Doug Chadwick told the Los Angeles Times.
Initial reports suggested Caleb died while trying to perform a circus trick, but it later appeared more likely that he was climbing on something to collect material for a costume.
Medics rushed him to a Bellingham hospital Monday from his home in nearby Sudden Valley. He was subsequently airlifted to Seattle’s main trauma center, where he died Tuesday – leaving an entire community stunned and in mourning.
“He was so charismatic, such a little entertainer,” said Nikki Kilpatrick, a longtime friend of the family whose son was best friends with Caleb.
Even as a baby, Kilpatrick said, Caleb walked early and had an appetite for performing – possibly to keep up with his two energetic older brothers.
“Caleb was the youngest steam punk I ever met. He absolutely adored dressing up. That kid was wearing costumes from the time he could pull clothes on,” Kilpatrick said. “You’d see him in the store, and he’d be wearing pajamas with a cape and flippers and goggles.”
Friends said Caleb was at a concert in a local park about two years ago when he saw members of the Bellingham Circus Guild performing – and was smitten. He signed up for guild member Strangely Timothy Doesburg’s youth circus workshop, and was quickly a star.