Teen drowning victim identified as Ga. runaway

STATTS MILLS - Officials investigating the drowning of a teen in a Jackson County lake have identified him as a runaway from Georgia.

Law enforcement officials say 16-year-old Brandon Banda of Lawrenceville, Ga., drowned Wednesday afternoon at O'Brien Lake in Jackson County. Banda was reported as a runaway by his mother more than a month ago, said Chief Deputy Bruce Dewees of the Jackson County Sheriff's Department.

Dewees said Banda was staying with the family of James Loftus of Lilburn, Ga. The family was at the lake on vacation and Loftus was unaware Banda was a runaway, but said he would help in any way possible, Dewees said.

Loftus told investigators that Banda and his son were good friends and that he had been told it was OK for the boy to go with the family to West Virginia.

Walter Smittle, director of Jackson County Emergency Services and 911, said Banda was swimming with a group around 1:30 p.m. when he went under water and never surfaced. The group thought Banda was swimming toward them, Smittle said.

"He never came back up," he said.

Ripley Volunteer Fire Department Chief Rick Goebble said it took about two and half hours to locate the body, which was found in about 20 feet of water. O'Brien Lake is more than six miles long with an average depth of about 16 feet. He said the lake is a popular swimming spot.

Goebble said efforts were hampered by heavy rain storms. Goebble said Banda was accompanied by approximately four other individuals, ages 15 to 17. When Banda did not surface they attempted to call 911, but could not get cell service.

"They had to walk about a mile to get service. That took a good 15 minutes to get 911 activated," he said.

Volunteer fire departments from Ravenswood and Cottageville assisted in efforts. The Jackson County detachment of the West Virginia State Police and the Jackson County Sheriff's Office were also working on the investigation.

Smittle said the death was an accidental drowning. No evidence exists of foul play, he said.

Goebble also said he did not suspect drugs or alcohol were involved.

Banda's body was sent to the state medical examiner in Charleston for an autopsy.

Writer Jess Mancini contributed to this article.