Barnhard Was a 'Sweet Kid,' Friend Says

Ben Barnhard was a sweet, funny kid who loved origami and video games, a friend of his said.

Barnhard, 13, was killed over the weekend in what police have ruled a murder-suicide. His mother, 54-year-old Margaret Jensvold, before turning the gun on herself, according to police. 

Cori Lowenstein knew Barnhard and said in a Facebook message to Patch that she would remember him for his humor and kindness.

"He was a very sweet kid," Lowenstein said in the message. "He was bullied a lot .... I would always stick up for him. He could be very outgoing when he was comfortable. He was a funny, funny boy. He always put a smile on everyone's face."

Lowenstein said she met Barnhard when the two were enrolled at Wellspring Academy, a residential weight-loss program in North Carolina.

"I was in the same class as him," she said. "He could be defiant sometimes, but at the end of the day, he always tried his best.

"He always raved about his mom. He loved video games and Maple Story. He loved origami and rubber-band balls."

Barnhard had recently graduated from Wellspring Academy, where he lost more than 100 pounds, according to a statement from his father, Jamie Barnhard.

The school, which is featured on the Style Network show "Too Fat for 15: Fighting Back," released the following statement:

"The Wellspring Academy family is extremely saddened to hear of the death of Ben and his mother. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Barnhard family in this very difficult time."

The Montgomery County Police Department has not released further details about the incident but has said that the investigation is still under way.