LOWELL (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) – Police in Lowell are investigating the death of a 17-year-old boy who was found in the high school pool.
The victim, identified by police as Eddie Gayyean, was found at about 5:45 p.m. on Monday by a club swim team entering the pool area for practice.
Police say he apparently drowned and there were no visible signs of trauma on his body. Authorities are awaiting autopsy results but foul play is not suspected.
Although the high school building is unlocked for summer activities, the pool was supposed to be secured. Police are trying to figure out how the victim got into the pool area.
The Sun reports that Gayyean is apparently spotted on a school surveillance camera entering the school earlier in the day.
Family members said Gayyean immigrated from Liberia with his mother and two siblings in April. Family said that he always came home at 9 p.m. and when family members had not seen him, they called police.
The New Wave Swim Club released a statement on their website, saying that the victim has no association with the club and is offering grief counseling to any members who would need it.
In a statement released to all parents and swimmers, Mark Devlin, the volunteer president of New Wave Swim Club said that the incident occurred prior to the scheduled practice and was discovered before any swimmer entered the pool. Devlin said the swimmers were immediately ushered out of the swim area once he realized what had occurred. He also said that the victim has no association with New Wave Swim Club.
