Missing 5-year-old found dead near Government Pond, same location took two lives last year

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Shenandoah river

By Randy Arrington

LURAY, Aug. 23 — The Page County Sheriff’s Office is releasing few details surrounding the death of a 5-year-old boy who presumably drowned in an outlet or creek feeding into what’s known as Government Pond near Page Valley Estates just west of Luray on Tuesday afternoon.

Major Pete Monteleone stated on Wednesday that a call came into the county’s dispatch around 4 p.m. on Tuesday, and the boy was located “about an hour later.” Monteleone would not expand on specifically who contacted 911 or what condition the boy was found in, but other online sources have stated that despite life-saving efforts, the boy was was not revived.

The Major confirmed the boy’s death.

“I can’t say too much right now because it is still under investigation,” Maj. Monteleone told PVN.

The body of the 5-year-old boy was sent to the state medical examiner’s office in Manassas, according to Monteleone. The Major would not state that the cause of death was due to drowning, but noted that the boy was found in “a creek or outlet…not actually in the pond.”

“Our investigators are working it,” Monteleone stated.

“This is such a tragic thing,” he continued. “We’re praying for the family.”

The Major did state that foul play is not suspected at this time.

“Not to my knowledge,” he said of the question.

Just over a year ago, high winds resulted in a boating accident at Government Pond that took the lives of two 21-year-old brothers.

“On May 7, 2022, around 2 p.m., the Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) received a call about a canoe that had overturned, leaving two brothers unaccounted for in the water,” a press release stated. “Earlier, three brothers (ages 21, 21 and 19) were out enjoying the day canoeing on Government Pond in Page County and as they tried to turn directions, the wind picked up and the canoe overturned throwing all three men in the water.”

Winds were gusting between 25 and 30 miles per hour on Saturday afternoon around the time of the accident. Canoeing is not recommended with winds above 17 mph.

“Two brothers went under and one swam safely back to shore to call for help,” the press release continued. “DWR, along with Page County Sheriff’s Office, Page County Fire and Rescue, and the Shenandoah Volunteer Fire Company dive team, were able to recover the [bodies of the] two missing men after a few hours.”

Wildlife Resources reported that no lifejackets were being worn in the boat.

While one Facebook page has revealed the identity of the boy that died in the area on Tuesday, as well as posting a photograph, PVN has decided not to publish that information until it is confirmed through law enforcement or other official sources. The same page is soliciting donations to support the family.

For more information about the Page County Sheriff’s Office,

visit https://pagesheriff.com/

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3 Comments

  1. That incident a year earlier obviously explains what happened, I wonder where the supervision was at? Good to know high winds on a flat lake make you drown in a canoe, also others drowned in this lake that’s flat. Good explanation 👏

  2. The “high winds” statement came from the surviving victim in the canoe. Did you want this website to change his story to make you happy?

  3. My heart is heavy to read this this morning. ,, Too many lives have been taken there ,,😪 rip precious child . And remembering Hunter and Harley . Rip beautiful boys .

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