A GoFundMe account has been established for the teen who reportedly drowned at Lake Nacimiento over the weekend.
The family of Jonathan Barrueta from Santa Maria says he was “our center of attention and the one who brought laughs and happiness.”
“We are devastated by this and don’t know how we will continue our journey without Jonathan,” according to the GoFundMe page, which states money raised will help with funeral expenses.
As of early Monday afternoon, $300 of the family's $10,000 goal had been raised.
First responders along with a San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s dive team were dispatched an area of the lake known as the resort ramp shortly before 2 p.m. Sunday.
The sheriff's office Barrueta was swimming with his family when he "suddenly appeared to be in distress" and went under water.
His body was located around 3:30 p.m. in approximately 12 feet of water, according to sheriff's office.
An autopsy is planned for Wednesday to determine Barrueta's cause and manner of death.
