"CIRCUS BOY"

For thousands of people who attended the weekly farmers market in Bellingham, Wash., he was the circus boy -- entertaining visitors with juggling, magic tricks and acrobatics delivered with unbelievable aplomb.

But 10-year-old Caleb Kors died suddenly this week while apparently rushing around the house to construct a new circus costume, leaving Bellingham residents grief-stricken over a boy they knew mainly for his four-club juggle toss -- performed with a wisecrack and a rakish smile -- and for his fearless compulsion to perform.

Whatcom County sheriff's officials said Caleb died in an accidental hanging -- though exactly what happened still is unclear. "As far as we know, the young man died in what appears to be an accidental hanging. How he got there, we're not actually sure. There did not appear to be anything suspicious or nefarious," Chief Criminal Deputy Doug Chadwick told the Los Angeles Times.

Initial reports suggested Caleb died while trying to perform a circus trick, but it later appeared more likely that he was climbing on something to collect material for a costume, with the truth perhaps remaining a sad and enduring mystery.