7/19/2020
(Updated 7/19/20 2pm)

(Thurston County, WA) A group of friends were swimming in a pond near Millersylvania State Park Saturday afternoon when tragedy struck. 18-year-old Max Aunese jumped in the water to swim across to where his friends were when he went underwater and never came back up. Aunese was eventually found and pulled to the shore where 1st responders were unable to revive him. We have not received the official word yet but family or friends have released a Go-Fund-Me Page to help the family. If you’d like to donate and hlep the Aunese family deal with this terrible tragedy you can do so by clicking the Long Live Max Aunese link here.

Max just graduated from Timberline High School and was getting ready to attend Arizona State University this Fall. New Timberline Head Football Coach James Jones has been working to reach out to kids and those impacted by this terrible event and is hosting zoom meetings with those who need to talk. The Covid restrictions make trying to help those who need to talk more difficult but Coach Jones and others are reaching out as best they can.

We will update any more information we receive as the family continues to work through this incredible heart breaking event.

Unfortunately this is the 3rd such story we have written over the past couple of months. 17-year-old Tyrenn Smith from Kentwood was about to fly to Phoenix to join his mother where she had moved for a job opportunity. Tyrenn made the decision to move for his Senior year and had dreams of playing at Arizona State University. Tyrenn was killed on June 2nd in a tragic car accident. His airline ticket to Phoenix was for June 3rd.

Then just 5 days later on June 7, 18-year-old Dillon Garnes from Mt Si High school was getting ready for his graduation celebration when he went to sleep and simply never woke up. It was learned he had an undiagnosed heart condition that caused his sudden death.

Now we have yet another heartbreaking event where a young man is taken from all of us. Our hearts are breaking for and with the family, his friends and the Timberline family. If and when it is appropriate to update this story we will do so at that time. Please send your love and thoughts to those hurting today.

Max had a great game against Yelm this past season this is just one of his many catches to keep the Blazers in that game.

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