Carson City Sheriff's Office: 20-year-old man identified in drowning at Lake Tahoe beach
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Mon, 07/29/2024 - 7:24am
UPDATE: A 20-year-old Kentucky man, Owen Joseph McDonough, was positively identified as the drowning victim rescued from rough waters at Whale Beach located along the east shore of Lake Tahoe.
The family of the Villa Hills victim have been notified by the Carson City Sheriff's Office Coroner’s Division. McDonough was described by the family as an intermediate skilled swimmer.
McDonough was swimming with friends to offshore rocks and was overcome by rough waters, disappearing beneath the surface. McDonough was pulled from the water to the beach where all attempts to resuscitate by bystanders and North Lake Fire Emergency Services proved futile.
The investigation revealed that McDonough was not wearing a personal flotation device. Currently, alcohol does not appear to be a contributing factor. McDonough was taken to the WCRMEO for autopsy and toxicology.
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A 21-year-old man died Sunday in an apparent drowning on a secluded Lake Tahoe beach within Carson City limits, according to the Carson City Sheriff's Office.
At 5:15 p.m., Placer County Emergency Dispatch received a 911 call where the caller reported a 20-year-old male was drowning at Whale Beach. A medical boat was dispatched and located the victim with a group of his friends.
The victim was swimming in Lake Tahoe and began to struggle, according to CCSO in a news release He was brought to the beach after being underwater for several minutes. Medics from the North Tahoe Fire Department arrived and attempted resuscitating the victim. Despite their extensive efforts, the victim died.
The Carson City Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division and Coroner’s Office responded to complete the death investigation. The victim was transported to the Washoe County Medical Examiner’s Office for examination.
The name of the victim is being withheld until he is officially identified, and his family is notified.
