Crime & Safety

UPDATED: Teen in Mokena Pool Death had Heart Condition

An autopsy revealed a previously undiagnosed heart condition that might have contributed to the 18 year old's death.

Wesley Devin Houseton, 18, of Chicago, died after being found under 9 feet of water in a swimming pool in unincorporated Mokena on Sunday, Will County Coroner Patrick O'Neil said.

An autopsy Monday revealed a previously undiagnosed cardiac condition O'Neil said may have contributed to Houseton's death.

Houseton was pulled from the bottom of a pool at a home on the 18000 block of Haas Road in unincorporated Mokena early Sunday afternoon. The Chicago Tribune is reporting Houseton was at a house party for a Chicago-based theater group.

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Sheriff's office spokesman Ken Kaupas told Patch the pool party and barbecue involved teens from 13 to 18 and several parents. After Houseton jumped in the deep end, he appeared to have trouble staying afloat, which concerned some of the other party goers.

"They asked if he needed some help, he declined saying he knew how to swim," Kaupas said. "Then he went under the water and did not come back up."

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Some witnesses initially thought Houseton was playing a joke, Kaupas said.

"They quickly realized this was no joke," he said.

Witnesses pulled Houseton from the water and performed CPR until rescue workers arrived, Kaupas said.

The Mokena Fire Department took the teen to Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet where he was pronounced dead at about 3:30 p.m., O'Neil said.

"This situation obviously shows how quickly something can transpire," Kaupas said. "You need to be vigilant of people swimming in a pool at all times."

Updated at 5:28 p.m. with Kaupas' comments.


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