On Monday afternoon, Damien Serrahn, age 16, was attempting to swim across Cole’s Bay at Lake Pleasant with three other teenagers. Damien was approximately a quarter of the way across the approximate 200 yard bay when he began to yell for help. The three other teenagers were approximately half way across when this occurred and thought he was joking around.
They noticed Damien was flailing his arms while yelling for help. The three continued to swim across after they saw Damien turn around and start swimming back to the shore. Just before reaching the other side of the bay, the three turned around to check on the welfare of Damien and did not see him. They swam back to where he was last seen and two of the three teens began searching while the third went on shore and called 911.
A search was conducted utilizing sonar aboard a Lake Patrol boat without success. Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team responded and began searching the area where Damien was last seen. Late last night, MCSO Lake Patrol Underwater Robot located the decedent in approximately 14 feet of water in the general area he was last seen.
Sheriff’s divers were deployed and recovery was made. Based upon the investigation thus far, there are no suspicious circumstances and no signs of foul play. The case will remain open pending the investigation.