Lake Tahoe drowning victim identified as Kentucky resident

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. - Twenty-one-year-old Owen Joseph McDonough visiting from Villa Hills, Kentucky has been positively identified as the drowning victim rescued from rough waters at Lake Tahoe's Whale Beach on Sunday evening.

McDonough's family has been notified.

McDonough was described by the family as an intermediate-skilled swimmer, according to the Carson City Sheriff's Office. He had been 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 Tahoe Fire Protection District proved futile.

The investigation revealed that McDonough was not wearing a personal flotation device. Currently, alcohol does not appear to be a contributing factor and an autopsy and toxicology tests are being conducted at the Washoe County Medical Examiner's Office.

See original story: https://southtahoenow.com/story/07/28/2024/20-year-old-dies-drowning-accident-lake-tahoes-whale-beach.