Coroner IDs teen who died while swimming at Lake Mohave

By Las Vegas Sun Staff (contact)

Thursday, July 2, 2015 | 12:23 p.m.

A 17-year-old boy who died Tuesday at Lake Mohave while swimming has been identified by the Clark County Coroner’s Office as Troynell Jermone Johnson Jr. of North Las Vegas.

Metro Police divers recovered his body about 11 a.m. Wednesday, according to the National Park Service. He was not wearing a life jacket, officials said.

Witnesses reported about 5:20 p.m. Tuesday that the teen had disappeared under the water while swimming across Morning Star Cove, officials said.

He was with a group of friends who were cliff jumping and decided to swim to another cliff about 50 yards away, officials said. When Johnson started to struggle, two friends tried to save him, but they could not hold on and he went under, officials said.

“It is tragic that three Las Vegas Valley teens have lost their lives in cliff jumping-related incidents this year at Lake Mohave,” said Christie Vanover, public affairs officer for Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

“Cliff jumping is very dangerous. For those who decide to cliff jump, despite the dangers, we ask that they please wear a life jacket,” she said. “Climbing up and down the 20- to 30-foot cliffs in 110-degree temperatures can quickly drain the body of energy, making it challenging to swim.”