Teen drowns while swimming in Sikeston lake Sunday

SIKESTON, Mo. -- A Wappapello, Mo., teen is dead after a late-night swim Sunday in Sikeston.

The Sikeston Department of Public Safety responded to a call at 8:22 p.m. of a possible drowning, with officers from the fire division and Special Operations Group and two boats, according to Capt. Bill Mygatt of the department.

"His friends called and said he had been swimming in the lake and went under about 10 minutes before we were called," Mygatt said. "They'd been looking for him and couldn't find him."

According to Missouri State Highway Patrol's drowning incident report, the victim said he was going to swim to the other side of the lake. He entered the water, swam a short distance, then submerged and never resurfaced.

At about 10:35 p.m., a body was found by dragging the lake, according to Mygatt.

Brandon Brummett, 18, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Scott County Assistant Coroner James Donner, according to the patrol.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol's Water Patrol also was called to assist, Mygatt said, "but we recovered the body before they arrived."

Mygatt did not indicate any foul play was suspected.

"He was swimming in a lake where there is no swimming allowed," he said, "and at night."

Pertinent address:

Sikeston, Mo.