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Drowning Shocker: Non-Swimmer Dies in Pool
13 Jul
Summary
- A 20-year-old man drowned in a community pool on July 12.
- Neither the victim nor an 11-year-old child knew how to swim.
- Detectives found no indication of criminal activity in the incident.
A tragic incident unfolded on July 12 when a 20-year-old man, Gildan Cornelious from Chicago, lost his life in an apparent accidental drowning at the Hidden Oaks Mobile Home Park pool in Gainesville. Responding deputies found Cornelious submerged in the deep end and immediately initiated CPR and utilized an AED.
Cornelious was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Autopsy results are pending from the Medical Examiner's Office to confirm the exact cause and manner of death. Detectives stated that there is currently no evidence of foul play.
Investigators reviewed surveillance footage and interviewed witnesses, determining that Cornelious entered the deep end with an 11-year-old child. It was discovered that neither Cornelious nor the child could swim. The child exited the pool safely, while Cornelious failed to resurface.
Victim advocates are assisting the sheriff's office in providing counseling resources for the 11-year-old child who witnessed the distressing event. The investigation into the circumstances of the drowning remains active.
