Authorities identify 17-year-old who drowned at Deer Creek Reservoir

Deer Creek Reservoir. A 17-year-old boy's body was recovered from the reservoir after he drowned June 17, 2021.

Deer Creek Reservoir. A 17-year-old boy's body was recovered from the reservoir after he drowned June 17, 2021. (Yukai Peng, Deseret News)


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PROVO — Authorities have identified a 17-year-old who drowned at Deer Creek Reservoir on Thursday.

Fernando Botello Arredondo drowned in the incident, according to a news release from Utah State Parks.

Arredondo's body was recovered from Deer Creek Reservoir on Thursday night after the teen drowned earlier in the afternoon, Utah State Parks Lt. Eric Stucki said.

The boy was out playing in the water with his family and friends when he went under at about 4:45 p.m., according to Stucki. Family members said he suddenly went under the water in the Island Beach area of the reservoir, which was 4-8 feet deep, but didn't resurface, according to the release.

A family friend attempted to retrieve the boy, but he couldn't be located due to the murkiness of the water, Stucki said.

The boy's family and friends notified dispatch and just after 7:30 p.m., the boy's body was recovered by Wasatch County's search and rescue dive team.

Officials are unsure why the boy went under but don't believe water temperatures were a factor. The boy was not wearing a life jacket.

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Ashley Fredde covers human services and and women's issues for KSL.com. She also enjoys reporting on arts, culture and entertainment news. She's a graduate of the University of Arizona.

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