Officials Identify Teen Who Drowned In Mountain Island Lake

MT. HOLLY, NC — The body of a missing 15-year-old swimmer at Mountain Island Lake has been recovered.

Officials say the teen’s body was found around 6pm. According to reports, he was at the rope swing area on the Gaston County side of the lake when he reportedly went underwater and never came back up. Rescue squads and dive teams searched for more than two hours before his body was located.

The victim was reportedly found in 15 feet of water, 20 feet from the shoreline.

Officials have identified the victim as A Pao, and are working to determine the cause of death although initial statements from witnesses indicate an accidental drowning.