A 20-year-old Oklahoma man drowned Sunday evening while attending a family birthday party at Arcadia Lake. Seth Nash was swimming back to shore when he began to struggle and was pulled from the water unconscious and not breathing.
Emergency crews received reports of a swimmer submerged at approximately 6 p.m. and launched a search involving the Edmond Police Department, Edmond Fire Department's Swift Water Rescue Team, and the Oklahoma City Fire Department's dive team. Despite efforts, including the deployment of boats and sonar equipment, Nash was not located alive. His body was recovered by dive teams at 7 p.m.
Police are investigating the incident as an accidental drowning and have stated there is no indication of foul play. Officials have not confirmed if Nash was wearing a lifejacket.
Nash's wife of two years, Amelia Casady, described him as intelligent, funny, and caring, but also noted he was not a strong swimmer and would panic in the water. She recalled a final conversation where Nash mentioned he had recently been released from jail after an arrest for speeding, carrying weapons, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Casady, who was not living with Nash at the time of his death and was in the process of separating, expressed skepticism regarding the circumstances and stated she was informed of his death by his mother. She also noted that Arcadia Lake held special significance for them, but expressed confusion as to why Nash would have gone so far from shore.
A GoFundMe has been established by a close friend of Nash's mother, Ginger Nash, to assist with funeral expenses, describing Ginger as a hardworking person facing overwhelming challenges following her son's tragic death and the prior loss of Nash's father to cancer over a year ago.
Arcadia Lake is a popular recreation area in central Oklahoma. An investigation into the circumstances surrounding Nash's death is ongoing.