Memorial to provide comfort after teen dies in hiking accident

By Riley Snyder

Wednesday, May 29, 2013 | 12:16 p.m.

A public memorial for 17-year-old Andrew Sasse, the Bonanza High School senior who fell to his death Monday while hiking at Red Rock Canyon, is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Shadow Hills Church.

The memorial is open to the public. It will be at the church recreation center at 7811 Vegas Drive.

“It’s a time to come together and comfort each other during the grief process,” she said.

Funeral services, which also will be open to the public, will be June 8. The family is requesting that attendees wear bright colors because of Sasse’s love of bold colors, family spokesperson Detra Page said.

The family is also asking for monetary donations, which can be made through the church, to assist with arrangements. Any money left over would be used for a scholarship for a Bonanza High student.

Sasse, who was set to graduate in two weeks and attend UNLV, was hiking with a group of friends Monday when he decided to go off alone, Metro Police said. His body was found after he failed to meet up with the group.

Former classmate Alex Bybee said Sasse, who was an active member of student government at Bonanza, made a tremendous impact at the school.

“He was just always willing to contribute, always willing to work hard to make sure we put on a solid event for students,” Bybee said. “He was always smiling; he was friends to everyone, and a really big part of the culture at Bonanza.”

Sasse’s family released a statement Tuesday about the death.

“Andrew was truly an amazing son, brother, grandson, nephew, and friend with a contagious smile and zest for life,” the statement said. “He will be sorely missed by all who loved him.”

Sasse was the second Bonanza student to die in less than two weeks. On May 16, Marcos Arenas, 15, a Bonanza freshman, died when he was run over by a vehicle during a robbery. Arenas’ funeral was Friday.