Community Rallies Around Family Of Drowning Victim In Cheshire

CHESHIRE, CT — The community is rallying around the family of an 18-year-old boy who died after drowning in the pond at Mixville Park in Cheshire last week.

Jefferson Loja was last seen swimming in the pond on Sunday, July 10, and crews recovered his body around 4:20 p.m. on Monday, July 11.

Police said that Loja was originally from Ecuador, but was most recently staying with family in Meriden.

Omar Montoya, the owner of Airborne Home Improvement LLC in Cheshire, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for Loja’s family.

Montoya said he has been in touch with Loja’s family and wants to assist them with bringing Jefferson’s remains back to Ecuador.

“Jefferson immigrated to the US this past March to earn money for his parents and three younger siblings,” Montoya wrote on the GoFundMe page. “His parents own a small house in Ecuador which was financed to pay for Jefferson's travel expenses. That debt is about $12,000. After talking to the funeral home in Wallingford, the process, including preparation of the body, paperwork and transportation to Ecuador, is approximately $11,600. This family is in a terrible situation, and the Ecuadorian government is unwilling to help.

“So far, we have managed to gather $3,000 to start the funeral process. I kindly ask everyone to unite as a town and fellow humans to help this family. I will personally deliver the donated funds to the funeral home to pay the remaining balance for this expense. Any remaining donations will be sent directly to Jefferson's parents in Ecuador. Thank you, and God bless you and bless this family.”

Nearly $19,000 has been raised in the first three days of the GoFundMe campaign.

For more information, or to make a donation, visit the GoFundMe page here.

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