POTSDAM – An autopsy has been performed on 12-year-old Garret Phillips of Potsdam, but the results are not expected for a day or two.

Potsdam Police Chief Ed Tischler held a brief news conference this morning and provided little new information into the death of the middle-schooler, who was found alone and unconscious Monday afternoon in Apartment 4 at North Country Manor, 100 Market St.

A candlelight vigil held at A.A. Kingston Middle School last night was organized spontaneously by parents, according to Potsdam Schools Superintendent Patrick Brady. About 240 students, teachers, staff, parents and community members attended.

Brady says counselors will be at work today with people who feel they need some help dealing with the tragedy.

Chief Tischler said an officer responded to a complaint of a disturbance at 5:10 p.m. Monday at the apartment. Finding Garret unconscious, the officer started CPR. The Potsdam Volunteer Rescue Squad responded and took Garret to Canton-Potsdam Hospital, where efforts to revive him were unsuccessful. He was declared dead at 8:08 p.m.

New York State Police Troop B’s forensic team arrived to process the scene.

Early reports that the boy might have been beaten were thrown into doubt when witnesses said there were no marks to indicate that.

Tischler said “strides have been made” into the investigation, but he did not explain them.

The autopsy was performed at Albany Medical Center Tuesday by forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Sikirica. “The cause and manner of death are pending at this time,” Tischler said.

He said the results of the autopsy are expected tomorrow or Thursday.

Tischler said he and the other authorities involved in the investigation “want to make sure we take all the steps and procedures” to handle the sensitive matter of the boy’s death.

Superintendent Brady said that yesterday counselors from the school, from BOCES and from Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley met with groups of staff and students.

He said today school counselors will be meeting one-on-one with students and staff who want to work out their feelings.

This case is different, he said, from cases of suicide or accidental death where the circumstances of the death are known.

The uncertainty is adding a layer of concern and confusion over the death of the well-liked student, Brady said.