Kettering teen dies after fall from boat during rowing practice

“We are heartbroken over the tragic loss of one of our students, Leo Lehner, a member of the class of 2025,” said Greg Mueller, the school’s principal. “In his short time as a student at Chaminade Julienne, Leo demonstrated a love for learning and an interest in taking advantage of all that CJ has to offer.”

Rescue crews were dispatched at 6:37 p.m. to Dayton Boat Club at 3414 E. River Road in Moraine, according to a Moraine Police Division call for service report.

“We are at the rowing club, and we have a rower in the water who has not come up,” a woman said in a 911 call.

Crews searched for Leo for nearly an hour before recovering him at 7:25 p.m., according to the police report.

A coach for the Dayton Boat Club on the scene told police that Leo had a seizure and fell over the side of the boat, according to an incident report by Five Rivers MetroParks. The coach “started looking everywhere” for Leo and jumped into the river several times to try to find him but was unsuccessful, the report stated.

Leo’s father told police his son had a long history of epilepsy and had seizures “during his most calm moments.”

Mark Hess, Five Rivers MetroParks’ chief of public safety, said the teen’s death is being investigated as an accidental drowning, “but obviously with some medical issue as a contributing factor.” Official cause of death will be determined by the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office, he said.

Leo was the grandson of Peggy Lehner, a former state senator and a candidate for Kettering mayor, who asked via her campaign’s Facebook page that people keep Leo and the family in their prayers.

“If so inclined, please perform an act of kindness today because that is what Leo would want,” she said.

Dan Meixner, Chaminade Julienne’s president, said the school grieves with Leo’s parents, Mike and Kate, his siblings, grandparents, classmates and all those who loved him.

“The Lehner family and the Beyer family have been longtime friends of the CJ community, and this loss is deeply felt by all those who cared about Leo and his loving family,” Meixner said.

Meredith Jeanne said that Leo was her student in middle school and “his laughter could light up the room.”

“He could get me off topic better than anyone ever could,” Jeanne said via Facebook. “My heart is broken for all who knew him but especially those that loved him best. I’m so very sorry.”

Melissa Phillips said that she was sending prayers for Leo’s family, friends and the entire CJ community.

“My son said last night that religion class won’t be the same without Leo,” Phillips said via Facebook. “He will definitely be missed by his fellow classmates.”