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Lowell High School Pool Drowning Victim Identified

LOWELL (CBS/AP) — Police and school officials are trying to figure out how a teenager got into Lowell High School's pool and drowned.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Bernice Corpuz reports

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The body of Eddie Gayyean, 16,was found at about 5:45 p.m. on Monday by the coach of a club swim team authorized to enter the pool area for practice.

He had apparently been in the water for several hours.

Police described the death as an apparent drowning and said it did not appear suspicious, although an autopsy is scheduled. There were no visible signs of trauma on his body.

"We do not suspect foul play at this time, but the investigation is ongoing," Deputy Police Superintendent Arthur Ryan Jr. said.

Some entrances to the school complex are open for summer activities, authorities said, but the pool area is supposed to be locked when not in use by authorized groups.

Gayyean was apparently spotted on a school surveillance camera entering the school earlier in the day, and authorities are trying to track his movements, authorities told The Sun of Lowell.

He was not affiliated with the swim club.

Gayyean had gone to the school around 8 a.m. to drop off some papers prior to the start of the new school year, relatives said Tuesday.

His uncle told WBZ NewsRadio 1030 Gayyean just moved here four months ago from Liberia.

The uncle doesn't know if Gayyean knew how to swim and he doesn't know why the boy would go in the pool when he was supposed to be only dropping off some paperwork.

(TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

 

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