MISHAWAKA — Family and neighbors spent Friday paying tribute to a life taken far too soon.

Five-year-old Izaya Baiz-Hickey died Thursday night after being electrocuted inside a utility box at a Mishawaka apartment complex.

His family says Izaya was full of life and loved to explore.

Family, friends, and neighbors dropped off flowers and stuffed animals at a makeshift memorial Friday.

Izaya's family says he went outside to play with his friend after eating Thanksgiving dinner. About 15 minutes later they heard a loud noise. Izaya's friend rushed over to his home to let his family know.

His grandmother, Melodie Hale, says it's a tragedy that never should have happened.

"I was angry it happened on Thanksgiving,” said Hale, “but I think it's appropriate, because I am so thankful for the five years we had with him."

The family says Izaya and his friend threw a toy inside the electrical box. They think he went inside to get it.

As the family deals with their grief, neighbors and investigators are still trying to figure out how the little boy got access to the utility box and electricity.

Many people have a lot of questions, but very few answers.

"I was wondering how was that possible that it wasn't protected enough, you know, secured enough for no one to get in the box," said neighbor Kristina Garcia.

The biggest question: Was the box locked? When WSBT checked it Friday, the door was secured with a padlock. However, it was shiny and appeared to be new.

We talked to a neighbor who regularly walks past the box.

"It seemed to me it was unlocked a few times,” said Eric Watts.

When asked if the door was locked, Mishawaka Assistant Police Chief Mike Samp would not comment.

Eric Uitdenhowen is in charge of Mishawaka Utilities Electrical Division. He told us that he does not know if the door was locked.

But as the investigation continues, neighbors are left imagining the grief this family is experiencing.

"The mother and the grandmother and the father were very upset,” said neighbor Christina Rice. “The father went after the transformer to get his son out, and the cops had to restrain and put him to the ground. It was his only child."

“Every Thanksgiving they're going to have to remember that their kid died on Thanksgiving,” said Watts. “It's going to mark every one of their Thanksgivings. It's horrible.”

People who live in the apartment complex say they've heard the utility boxes have been vandalized before. However, police would not confirm those reports.

For more on this story watch WSBT News at 10 and 11.