A Chatham teenager remembered as being a "gentle soul" has been identified as the victim of a tragic drowning accident on Manitoulin Island.
Manitoulin OPP said first responders were called to Meldrum Bay Monday around 1:26 p.m. in regards to a drowning incident. An 18-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.
On Wednesday, provincial police identified the 18-year-old as Kyle Benedict of Chatham.
According to a Go Fund Me page set up by Erin June, Benedict recently graduated from John McGregor Secondary School with plans to go back in the fall for a victory lap.
Benedict is remembered through the post as being "inclusive, fun, adventurous, [and] caring."
As a child, Benedict played local hockey, however, as a teen, he became a member of the 59th Legion Highlander Royal Canadian Army Cadets in Chatham. The army cadets issued a statement through a Facebook post, which read "we stand united with his family and salute this fine young man. You will not be forgotten, Kyle."
The Go Fund Me Page looks to raise $5,000 to cover funeral and travel costs. As of Thursday afternoon, $2,130 had been raised. Should funding surpass the goal, the post states that a cadet memorial fund or award of some kind may be created in Benedict's honour.
