Beloved' Grayslake Central Athlete ID'd As Teen Killed In Drowning

GRAYSLAKE, IL — A Grayslake Central High School sophomore and three-sport athlete has been identified as the 15-year-old boy who died after going underwater and not resurfacing while swimming in the Chain O’ Lakes.

Brayan Monzanga, 15, of Round Lake, was recovered Monday evening from Pistakee Lake after emergency crews responded to Myers Bay following reports that a teen had disappeared beneath the water. Authorities said Monzanga had been with friends on a boat when he entered the water and did not resurface.

The Lake County Coroner’s Office identified Monzanga and said an autopsy determined his death was consistent with drowning.

• Coroner IDs Lake County Boy, 15, Who Drowned In Pistakee Lake

Grayslake Community High School District 127 Superintendent Mikkel Storaasli described Monzanga as a “beloved” Grayslake Central High School sophomore who will be deeply missed by students and staff, according to the Lake & McHenry County Scanner. Monzanga was a three-sport athlete who participated in football, basketball and track.

“Our student services department is fully available to support any members of our school community who need assistance,” Storaasli said. He added that the district’s thoughts are with Monzanga’s family during this difficult time, according to the article.

A GoFundMe fundraiser created for Monzanga’s family described him as someone who “touched the lives of so many” in his neighborhood, schools, sports teams and community.

“Brayan was a beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, and a friend to so many,” the fundraiser stated.

The fundraiser said donations will go directly to the family to help cover funeral expenses, unexpected costs and other financial needs as they grieve his loss. As of Friday, more than $62,000 had been raised for the family.

The boy was not wearing a flotation device when he either jumped or fell into the water, Lake County Sheriff's Office Chief Christopher Covelli told Patch.

"When he didn’t resurface, his friends jumped in and tried to find him," Covelli said. "Unfortunately, they were unable to."

After more than two hours of searching, dive teams and an underwater drone located the teen at about 7:50 p.m. He was recovered from the lake and pronounced dead at the scene, according to authorities.

The incident remains under investigation by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police and the Lake County Coroner's Office.