Schoolmates and friends said Tayson Foltz always left them smiling.
About 300 candles were lit Thursday evening in memory of the Franklin Regional student, who was found dead outside the school last weekend.
Those who shared memories of the high school senior at the vigil at Murrysville’s Newlonsburg Presbyterian Church said Foltz had a creative spirit that expressed itself in art, poetry and even in the clothes he chose to wear at times.
Friends also remembered his acts of generosity, including offering to pay for their food at a local restaurant.
Franklin Regional Senior High student found dead Sunday morning was remembered by hundreds who lit candles in his memory at a vigil Thursday in Murrysville. pic.twitter.com/lwk5oMoGL5
— Jeff Himler (@jhimler_news) September 19, 2025
Many expressed regret that Foltz may not have realized how highly he was regarded by many of his peers and neighbors.
Foltz’s body was found about 6 a.m. Sunday behind the high school near the gym entrance. He had died by suicide, school officials said. He was 18.
Christie Linnabary said Foltz was a good friend of her son, also a senior at the school, and often would stop by to share a meal or take her son on an adventure into Pittsburgh.
Linnabary said her son’s friend had a quirky but magnetic personality.
“He would dress up in a suit, or sometimes I’ve seen him in a tux,” she said. On a special occasion, he chose to dress as George Washington, she said.
“What a bright light he was,” Linnabary said. “It would make you smile.”
Another friend from school, Mia Evankovich, had praise for Foltz’s poems. At the vigil, she read one of his works that asked the reader to “promise that you still would think about me.”
Examples of Foltz’s graffiti-style artwork were displayed. According to Evankovich, one of his art pieces was selected for the Franklin Regional Class of 2026 T-shirt.
“He was a good listener,” Evankovich added. “Everyone felt good being around him.”
Family members said in an obituary that Foltz also had a passion for music. He was a member of the Franklin Regional Panther Marching Band drum line, playing the cymbals, and was a former member of the school’s pole vault team.
Members of the school band took part in the vigil, performing “Amazing Grace.”
Franklin Regional Marching Band performs “Amazing Grace” at Thursday vigil for school drum line member who was found dead on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/qjCaQ2R9Bt
— Jeff Himler (@jhimler_news) September 19, 2025
Curtis Paul, pastor of the Newlonsburg church, was among other speakers. He said younger members of the congregation had approached him about organizing a vigil for Foltz.
Information on counseling for those who may be troubled was offered.
“I’m hoping that everybody can come together and grieve as a whole,” Linnabary said of the vigil. “There’s something to be said about supporting each other and not grieving alone.
“I want there to be a message that everybody is cared about — and it being OK to reach out for help and to help.”
Foltz is survived by his father, Jeremy Foltz; mother, Jessica Werner; brother, Carver Foltz; stepmother, Nicola Campbell; stepfather, Jason Werner; stepsister, Yasmine Campbell; stepsister, Madyson Campbell-Grendys and her husband, Evan Grendys; and grandparents, Kenneth Foltz, Le Foltz, William Salomon Jr. and Stacy Salomon.
A memorial reception will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at Foltz’s home church, Murrysville Alliance, 4130 Old William Penn Highway. A noon memorial service will follow.
The family is asking in lieu of flowers that donations be made to Ray of Hope, Westmoreland County’s suicide awareness and prevention task force, at www.rayofhopewestmoreland.org/donation.
Bash-Nied-Jobe Funeral Home, 152 Abbe Place, Delmont, is in charge of arrangements.
