La Mesa Woman Drowns In Lake Havasu After Life Jacket Comes Off

LA MESA, CA — A La Mesa woman drowned after her life jacket came off in Lake Havasu, authorities said.

Deputies responded to a possible drowning around 2 p.m. Sunday near the Islander RV Resort in Lake Havasu City in Arizona, according to Mohave County Sheriff's Office. They learned that a woman had jumped off a boat to go swimming.

"When she entered the water, her improperly secured life jacket came off," sheriff's officials said on Facebook. "The victim began to panic, then went below the surface of the water."

The sheriff's office dive team and helicopter were unable to find the woman.

"Further into the search, side scan sonar technology and divers were used," officials said. "The victim was located in 59-degree water at a depth of 42 feet."

The woman was identified as Cynthia Marin, 49, of La Mesa.

A GoFundMe page set up to raise funds for funeral expenses said Marin "passed away very unexpectedly." She had two adult daughters, a young son and two granddaughters, according to the fundraising page.

"Please consider donating to bring Cynthia back to California from Arizona to be laid to rest," the organizer wrote.

As of early Monday afternoon, the page had raised more than $2,300.