A 15-year-old boy who played on his high school football team outside Phoenix was found dead in a lake where he disappeared, authorities said Tuesday.
Christopher Hampton’s body was recovered from Show Low Lake less than 24 hours after deputies responded to search for him, according to the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office. He played football at Cesar Chavez High School.
All three Navajo County search and rescue groups were called in for the search that ended with the tragic news, authorities said.
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Police found a high school football player dead in a lake outside Phoenix. (FoxNews)
«Sheriff Clouse and the entire Navajo County Sheriff’s Office send our deepest condolences to Christopher’s family,» the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement on Facebook.
«We would also like to thank Navajo County Search and Rescue, White Mountain Sheriff’s Gang, Navajo County Sheriff’s Deputy Volunteers, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team, Air Rescue of the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Show Low Police Department and Timber Mesa Fire and Medical District. Our thoughts and prayers are with Christopher’s family and friends.»
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The Phoenix Union High School District said it will offer «emotional support for impacted students, staff and families.»
Christopher Hampton was 15 years old when the police found him. (FoxNews)
«We want to extend our condolences to his family and friends who are grieving this loss. This tragedy affects all the communities we serve…» the district said. «Christopher was a friend, an athlete and a caring young man who will be sorely missed by all who knew him.»
The district said Hampton and the rest of the football team traveled to the lake Monday while attending a sports camp.
“During his time at the lake, a student-athlete went missing. Police were immediately contacted and deployed a dive team, air support and boats to investigate a possible tragedy on the lake,” the district said.
The district added that it and the school will continue to fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
A soccer ball on the sidelines before the start of a match. (Reading Eagle via Getty Images)
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César Chávez begins his season on August 25.