Coroner confirms Henderson teen died of drowning

By Cristina Chang

Published Monday, Aug. 27, 2012 | 10:04 a.m.

Updated Monday, Aug. 27, 2012 | 10:31 a.m.

Henderson teenager William Mootz died last week as a result of drowning, the Clark County Coroner’s Office ruled Monday.

Mootz, 17, fell into the Pittman Wash during rainstorms Wednesday near Stephanie Street and Sunset Road. His body was discovered Friday morning in a wetland northeast of Sam Boyd Stadium.

Mootz also suffered blunt-force injuries to the head, the Coroner’s Office said.

The injuries were likely caused by debris in the fast-moving and turbulent water, said Dan Kulin, a Clark County spokesman. He added there was a possibility Mootz was unconscious at the time of the drowning.

For three days, personnel from the Henderson Police and Fire departments and Metro Police, as well as hundreds of volunteers, searched for Mootz along the Pittman Wash.

More than 1,000 people commemorated Mootz’s life at a candlelight vigil Saturday night at Green Valley High School, where he would have started his senior year today.