The body of 17-year-old Aydon Beeson was discovered on June 26 in Rathbun Lake, located in Moravia, according to local police reports.
Recently graduated high school, Aydon Beeson, is being fondly remembered after he sadly drowned in a local lake.
Emergency responders arrived at Rathbun Lake in Moravia on June 26, following reports that a 17-year-old swimmer had gone under the water and did not resurface, according to a news release by the Appanoose County Sheriff’s Office.
The body of the young man was recovered from roughly 15 to 20 feet of water within an hour of him being reported missing.
Authorities identified the victim as Aydon Beeson, a recent graduate from Central Centerville High School, as reported by CBS affiliate KCCI and ABC affiliate KTVO.
Beeson’s tennis coach, Tyler Baze, spoke highly of him, describing him as “a natural leader” who others were drawn to. “He led by example and never asked his teammates to do anything he wouldn’t do himself,” Baze shared with KCCI.
In a touching statement, Centerville Community Schools highlighted that Beeson was not only a football and tennis player but was also voted Prom King by his peers. Notably, he spent his summers working as a maintenance worker for the school district, assisting in preparing buildings for the new school year.
The school’s statement expressed deep sorrow: “Words cannot express the depth of the sadness felt by the school community in this horrible tragedy. Our thoughts are with Aydon’s family and friends as they grieve through this tragic event.”
In honor of Beeson, a community vigil was held on Thursday at the football field where he once played, KCCI reported. Coach Baze remarked, “I know so many people in this community who were going to be [at the vigil] no matter what, which is a testament to the amazing person he was.”
Grief counseling is being provided through Centerville Community Schools to support those affected by the loss, per KCCI.
The sheriff’s office stated that an investigation into Beeson’s death is still ongoing. Such tragedies remind us of the importance of community support and the need to be cautious around water activities, especially as summer approaches.
