UPDATE: 8-year-old hospitalized after going underwater at Lake Tobesofkee dies

Published On: June 3, 2025

UPDATE: 8-year-old hospitalized after going underwater at Lake Tobesofkee dies

UPDATE (5/31/25):

Macon-Bibb Coroner Leon Jones says the 8-year-old who was hospitalized after being pulled from Lake Tobesofkee last week has died.

Jones says Kiheen Johnson Jeffrey was pronounced dead just before 3:30 a.m. Saturday. He said family has been notified.

UPDATE (5/30/25):

Tristan Cornelius’ funeral service is set for Monday, June 2.

UPDATE (5/28/2025):

The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office has identified the 7-year-old victim as Tristan Cornelius. According to Deputy Coroner Luanne Stone, the next of kin has been notified.

According to medical staff, the 8-year-old is still listed in critical but stable condition. The 10-year-old has since been released from the medical facility.

Also Wednesday, GoFundMe shared a link to a fundraiser page started to help raise money for the child’s funeral services.

“Help Put This Sweet Baby to Rest in the Best Way Possible The Family Could Use all of The Help They Could use at this tuff time ( Tristan Cornelius ),” a message on the page said.

The page also said Cornelius’ funeral is set for May 31, but no further information has been provided.

UPDATE (5/27/25):

A 7-year-old boy has died after going underwater Friday afternoon at Lake Tobesofkee.

According to an updated news release from the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, the boy was found unresponsive and removed from the water. He was pronounced dead on scene by Deputy Coroner Luanne Stone.

Family has been notified.

ORIGINAL STORY (5/27/25):

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Rescue crews are searching for a missing 7-year-old boy after a possible drowning Friday afternoon at Lake Tobesofkee, according to the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies, Macon-Bibb County firefighters, and Georgia Department of Natural Resources officers responded to the Michael Dewayne Jones Public Fishing Area just after 2:30, the sheriff’s office said in a news release.

Three boys—ages 7, 8 and 10—were reported to have gone underwater while in the lake. Deputies and firefighters entered the water and recovered the 8-year-old and 10-year-old boys, who were taken to a medical facility for treatment.

According to the release, medical staff said the 8-year-old is in critical condition. The 10-year-old is listed in stable condition.

Photo: Bre’Anna Sheffield

That’s all the information we have right now. Check back for updates.