Two teenage best friends drowned on Father’s Day after a late night boating trip on a private Ohio lake took a tragic and deadly turn.
Joshua Schwandt, 19, and Trevor Pacek, also 19, died after their boat capsized in pond behind a home in the 4000 block of Remsen Road at 2:30am Sunday.
A third person, who has not been named, was also aboard the small vessel when the accident occured, police said. That person was able to swim back to shore and call for help.
Officers from Medina Township responded to the pond moments later and were unable to locate Schwandt or Pacek.
Joshua Schwandt (left), 19, and Trevor Pacek (right), also 19, died after their boat capsized in pond behind a home in the 4000 block of Remsen Road at 2:30am Sunday
Officials did not say what caused the boat to capsize, but the incident remains under investigation by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (Joshua Schwandt and Trevor Pacek pictured together above with a friend)
After the initial search, the Medina Fire Department, the Wayne County Water Rescue Team and the Ohio Parks and Watercraft officers were called in to assist.
The bodies of the two teenagers were recovered from the water shortly afterwards.
Officials did not say what caused the boat to capsize, but the incident remains under investigation by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
ODNR is reminding boaters to use the equipment on the boat responsibly, to always wear a life jacket and pay close attention to water conditions and posted advisories.
The department has not yet responded to a DailyMail.com request for comment.
On Facebook, friends and family members of the two teens are mourning the loss of two ‘sweet souls’ who ‘brought smiles to the faces’ of all who knew them.
‘Yesterday we got news that no one expected,’ Trevor Pacek’s cousin, Angel Smith wrote on Facebook. ‘We lost one amazing person way too soon. My heart broke when I got the phone call that my cousin who is only 19 years old, passed away yesterday.
‘Trevor you have a beautiful soul and a smile that can light up a room that will never be forgotten.’
The bodies of the two teenagers were recovered from the water shortly after the Medina Fire Department, the Wayne County Water Rescue Team and the Ohio Parks and Watercraft officers were called in to assist
Family and Friends of Trevor Pacek (above) have paid tribute to him online, calling his ‘heart as big as his handsome smile’
A former teacher of Trevor’s, Kristin Johnson Weight, said she too was ‘saddened’ to hear of the passing of her former student.
‘Trevor, you were a special kid. You smiled and laughed always,’ Weight wrote. ‘Our hearts are broken for all who loved you.’
In an obituary posted to Waite and Son Funeral Homes, family members remembered Trevor for his kindness, remarking that his ‘heart was as big as his handsome smile’.
‘Trevor made a huge impact in his short 19 years to those who were fortunate to cross paths with him,’ the family tribute read.
Trevor attend Brunswick High School and the Medina County Career Center where he studied construction trades and was a 2019 graduate. He had recently been working at a Steak N Shake fast food eatery.
Trevor is survived by a large family which included four sisters Heather Mandato, Shannon Blaich, Breanna Hϋther, and Paige Pacek; one brother Jack Pacek and his parents.
Joshua Schwandt, meanwhile, was remembered as a ‘beloved’ son and brother by his family. He had been working as a carpenter since graduating high school in 2019
Joshua Schwandt, meanwhile, was remembered as a ‘beloved’ son and brother by his family. He had been working as a carpenter since graduating high school in 2019.
‘If you ever had an interaction with Josh, you knew the kind of person that he was,’ his brother, Jacob Schwandt wrote on a GoFundMe page. ‘He was a funny and caring person with a one of a kind personality.’
Francesca Kurek, who identified herself as the mother of one of Josh’s best friends, wrote on Facebook: ‘Josh was like a son to me and was taken way too soon. He was one of my son Clay’s best friends. Our hearts break for his family, friends and all the lives he has touched.’
Joshua is survived by his mother and father, Diane and Steve, his younger brother Johnny and older brother Jake.