Teen Who Died from Alcohol Poisoning Had Fake IDs

The 17-year-old boy who died of acute alcohol intoxication and acute hypothermia last month was found with two identical, fraudulent Pennsylvania driver’s licenses, Montgomery County police said Monday.

Navid Sepehri of Radnor Road was found in a wooded area in Bethesda and had last been seen at a party on Elgin Lane, police said.

He also was found with a bottle of vodka that was purchased from a store outside the county, police said.

The licenses indicate that Navid was of a legal age to purchase alcohol. Detectives have not determined how Navid obtained the bottle of vodka.

Officers said they have no indication that the homeowners where the party took place furnished alcohol to the underage attendees. Once they found out minors had brought alcohol to the party, they told the party goers that no alcohol was allowed. The homeowners then contacted some of the attendees’ parents.

This interaction between the officers and homeowners was captured on an officer’s body-worn camera. The homeowners’ statements were supported by at least one of the attendees who came into contact with police (this interaction between police and attendees was also captured on an officer’s body-worn camera) and by the follow-up investigation by detectives.

The homeowners will not be charged, police said.

The Department is examining the actions of the police officers who encountered Navid Sepehri outside of a home in the 6500 block of Elgin Lane in Bethesda at approximately 10:30 p.m. Dec. 9 as well as an officer’s interaction with Mr. Sepehri outside of the Second District Police Station (Bethesda) at approximately 3:30 a.m. Dec. 10.

The Department is in communication with Navid Sepehri’s family and their counsel to make arrangements for them to view the body-worn camera footage that captured officers speaking with Navid on Elgin Lane, police said.

The investigation into the circumstances of this event remains open. Detectives are asking to speak with anyone who was with Navid at any point on the evening of Dec. 9 or the early morning of Dec. 10 or who has information relating to this investigation and who has not already contacted the Department.  Those with information should call the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070.

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