SAN FRANCISCO—The body of 14-year-old San Francisco teenager Marquette Gross was found and identified on Monday, July 6 at Lake Sonoma following a swim on the Fourth of July. Gross hailed from Vistacion Valley, San Francisco and attended Vistacion Valley Middle School as a seventh grader.
Just before 4 p.m. Gross, who did not know how to swim, joined another boy on a raft as it was pulled along the water by a jet ski. The driver of the jet ski himself was said to have been no older than 13. Upon accelerating the vehicle, the raft overturned and sent both boys into the water. Neither was wearing any sort of flotation gear. The other boy managed to swim to shore, but Gross disappeared into the water.
The sheriff’s office, the Army Corps of Engineers, and local fire departments began a search to locate the missing teen. Several helicopters and sonar watercraft were also deployed to aid in the search.
Gross’ body was found two days later under 50 feet of water. Officials were not quick to identify the body as Gross’, but soon after confirmed his identity. The drowning is the first Lake Sonoma has seen this year.
Gross’ friends and family members held a vigil for each separate day of the search, reportedly refusing to return home until he was found.
In speaking to Press Democrat News, the boy’s father, Marvin Gross, expressed his grief over the tragic turn of events. “I’m really taking it hard right now. I just talked to him, so it’s, like, crazy. I haven’t really been asleep in two days.”
The day of Gross’ drowning also coincided with another drowning incident at Monte Rio Beach, just 50 miles south of Lake Sonoma. The 20-something victim was from Pittsburgh, visiting the area with a friend.
Funeral plans for Gross have not been set.
