News Releases

Update: Bethesda Teenager Death Investigation - Additional Information Released

For Immediate Release: Monday, January 8, 2018

The Montgomery County Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances leading up to and surrounding the accidental death of Navid Sepehri. Since the time of the last departmental update, detectives have worked to collect additional information and confirm answers to questions that community members and family members have asked.

Detectives believe that the bottle of vodka found in Navid’s possession when he was located deceased was purchased from a store outside of Montgomery County. Investigators located two identical, fraudulent Pennsylvania driver’s licenses on Navid’s person when he was found. The licenses indicate that Navid was of a legal age to purchase alcohol. Detectives have not determined how Navid obtained the bottle of vodka.

With regard to the home where the Elgin Lane party was held, there is no indication that the homeowners furnished alcohol to the underage attendees. The homeowners stated to responding officers that when it became apparent to them that alcohol had been brought into the party by minors, 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. There will be no charges placed against the homeowners as there were no violations of the law observed by officers.

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. on the night of December 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. on December 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.

The death of Navid Sepehri is a tragedy not only for his family and friends but also for the greater community. 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 December 9 and/or the early morning of December 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.

Previous Press Releases:

Update: Detectives Continue to Investigate Death of Bethesda Teenager

Police Conduct Death Investigation in Bethesda

# # #

Release ID: 18-011
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: death-investigation, uncategorized