Missing teenager found crushed to death by recycling truck

A missing New Jersey young man was reportedly found crushed to death after a night out with friends at a Pennsylvania recycling center.

Around 8:40 a.m. Saturday morning, police were called to Total Recycle Inc. in Birdsboro, Pennsylvania after workers discovered a body there. Because of his “unique” tattoos Kellen Bischoff19, of Manahawkin, New Jersey, was quickly identified as the victim.

Bischoff recently traveled to nearby Kutztown, Pennsylvania, about two and a half hours northwest of Manahawkin for a visit family. On Friday night, he attended a party near the Kutztown University campus.

Surveillance footage showed Bischoff climbing into a dumpster behind a dollar tree in Kutztown in the early hours of Saturday morning. A few hours later, a recycling truck came and picked up the contents of the dumpster. At this point, Bischoff was likely squeezed with the rest of the contents.

While autopsy and toxicology reports are pending, preliminary autopsy results suggest his injuries were “consistent with being thrown into the garbage truck and later crushed by him.” There is no indication of foul play.

Bischoff graduated high school with honors in May and was a member of his school wrestling team. But his real passion seemed to be music. He had a scholarship to study music at Full Sail University and was also the drummer in a local band.

Here’s a video Bischoff posted to his Instagram account on October 12:

His former bandmates are devastated by the loss.

“Kellen was a drummer in our band Hellfire and was a dear friend to all of us,” wrote bandmate Julian Contreras in a GoFundMe Account set up in honor of Bischoff. “He was very dedicated and passionate about music and our band.”

A obituary described Bischoff as an “infectious” and “fun-loving” personality who “made an impression on everyone who knew him,” reported the Daily Mail.

Bischoff is survived by his parents Patty and Mike, his twin brother Nathaniel and little sister Raegan. A memorial service for Bischoff will be held Sunday at the Maxwell-Tobie Funeral Home in Manahawkin. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations in memory of Bischoff Pointer rescue, Happy paw rescue and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“Keep pounding those skins, our mighty Irish warrior, and we will listen to you and we will hear you,” the obituary added.