Coroner: Teen wash victim drowned, suffered head injury

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Posted By Josh Mabry, Continuous News Manager - email

HENDERSON, NV (FOX5) -

The official cause of death was released Monday for a teen swept away in a Henderson wash last week.

17-year-old William Mootz drowned and suffered a blunt force injury to his head, according to the Clark County Coroner's Office. A Clark County spokesperson said the blunt force injury was likely caused by debris in the fast-moving and turbulent water. The spokesperson said Mootz may have been unconscious at the time of the drowning.

William Mootz's body was discovered Friday morning in a wetlands area near Sam Boyd Stadium. He had slipped and fallen into Pittman Wash during Wednesday's torrential rainstorm.

Hundreds of volunteers searched for Mootz after he went missing Wednesday. He was remembered during a football scrimmage Friday, and during a candlelight vigil Saturday at Green Valley High School.

The Clark County School District planned to have grief counselors available for students when classes start Monday morning.

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More: Teen Missing in Wash

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Crews began searching for 17-year-old Will Mootz after he slipped and fell into the Pittman Wash in Henderson on Aug. 22, 2012.Police: Teen falls into flooded wash | SlideshowSearch for missing teen goes More>>

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Coroner: Teen wash victim drowned, suffered head injury - FOX5 Vegas - KVVU