LONGVIEW, Wash. -- A 9-year-old boy was found dead and hanging from a tree in the back yard of his home Tuesday, according to his family.

The family of Julian Magana said he accidentally hanged himself while trying to play on a tire swing.

Magana's family said he climbed a tree to set up the tire swing Tuesday night. His mother had removed the swing days earlier because she considered it too dangerous.

"But Julian took it upon himself to put it back up in the tree," said Mike Mercer, Magana's uncle.

Michael Johnson, who lives next door to Magana's family, heard the cries for help. He found Magana hanging from the tree with the tire swing's rope around his neck.

For 13 minutes, Johnson and his neighbor performed CPR.

"It was pretty much like hell," Johnson said. "We (were) trying to do everything we can."

Paramedics rushed the boy to a hospital, but Johnson learned of Magana's death Wednesday morning.

Magana was well known in the Longview neighborhood where he was found dead.

"(Neighbors) have taken him in, he's eaten at their homes, spent the night there -- so a lot of the neighbors feel like they've lost one of their own," Mercer said.

Mercer said the boy's family will remember his outgoing personality. The family remained in shock while trying to gain the strength to remember Magana.

"He was a great adventurous kid," Mercer said. "It hits home because everybody's got kids and it can happen to any kid at any time."

The coroner's office is listing Magana's death as suspicious because the official cause of death still isn't known. An autopsy will be performed Thursday.

A memorial fund has been set up in Julian Magana's name at all U.S. Bank locations.

Boy, 9, Found Hanged In Back Yard