Heart condition may have caused death of 14-year-old boy

A long-standing medical condition may have contributed to the death of a 14-year-old Carson City boy found dead in a southeast yard early Wednesday morning.

A homeowner on Berkenfield Drive near Seeliger Elementary School discovered the body of Cody Tyzbir lying on his back in a side yard at about 6:35 a.m.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators and family believe Cody may have suffered a heart attack while trying to run from police after the car he was a passenger in was involved in an accident on Cortez Street shortly before 1 a.m.

"They came around the corner too fast, jumped the curb and hit a parked car," said Carson City Sheriff's Sgt. Bob White. "Everyone took off running because the cops were coming and they were scared."

Carolyn Tyzbir, grandmother and guardian to Cody and his 16-year-old brother Brenon, said her grandson was born with a hole in his heart. When he was 8 months old, surgeons patched the quarter-size defect.

Over the years, doctors warned the family Cody should take it easy, not exert himself. Once he tried out for the football team, but he knew he couldn't handle it, Carolyn said.

"The coaches said they'd watch him hold onto his chest."

After 14 years of seeing a heart specialist, Cody received a clean bill of health a month ago.

An autopsy was unable to determine what caused his death. His grandmother, however, is certain his condition is to blame.

"He had a heart attack," Carolyn said. "He had no marks on him, no blood, no bruises. The girl who was sitting on his lap in the car said when they hit, she heard a whoosh sound come from him."

In the course of the death investigation, the 14-year-old driver was located and arrested Wednesday afternoon for allegedly stealing his mother's car. The boy is charged as a juvenile with grand larceny and hit and run.

Judy and George DeCambra were in their Cortez Street home when they heard the accident and saw the people running away from the scene. They called police who recovered the vehicle but were unable to locate the teens.

"Ever since the sheriff came here this morning and told us about (Cody), my husband has been down," Judy said. "He drove through the neighborhood looking for them because he was afraid they were hurt. He knew they were young kids. He said, 'Maybe if I had been able to find them.' He just feels so sad."

Carolyn described Cody as energetic and loving.

"If you have a bouncing ball that won't quit, that's Cody," she said. "I keep waiting for him to come home. This just hasn't hit me yet."

A funeral has been scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday at FitzHenry's funeral home.

Contact F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.