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Geovanny Tapia-Zuniga, of Bridgeport, was discovered drowned around 7:22 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 18, by members of the Fairfield Police Dive Team and the Fairfield Fire Department from Lake Mohegan, at 880 Morehouse Highway, in Fairfield, said Fairfield Police Lt. Robert Kalamaras.
Fairfield police officers and firefighters responded to the beach and found that Tapia-Zuniga was swimming near the main beach area who went underwater and never surfaced, Kalamaras said.
Family members of the victim provided police with an accurate location where the victim was last seen in the water. Witness accounts stated that Tapia-Zuniga was swimming on the west side of the beach just beyond the swim ropes.
Another witness saw Tapia-Zuniga in distress in the water and then submerged, Kalamaras said.
Fairfield Fire Department Lt. Robert Smith said a number of bystanders and family members attempted to keep him above water but were unable to keep him above the waterline.
At 7:22 pm, the Dive Team Sgt. Jason Kline removed Tapia-Zuniga from the water.
Life-saving efforts were immediately begun by fire and AMR responders and Tapia-Zuniga was transported to the hospital.
One of the family members of the swimmer was overcome as the events unfolded and was also treated and transported to an area hospital for treatment, said Smith.
After Tapia-Zuniga was transported to St. Vincent’s Medical Center, resuscitative efforts continued until 8:09 pm, at which time St. Vincent's medical staff pronounced him dead, Kalamaras said.
The investigation is still active pending cause and manner of death from The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
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