By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News
Sarah Elizabeth Pool, a 15-year-old Westlake High School student, was participating in a wakeboard camp with Austin Ridge Bible Church on Thursday when she was last seen alive.
Her body was recovered on Saturday, and on Monday the Travis County Medical Examiner officially identified her.
Pool was the first-born of triplets and she recently completed her freshman year at WHS. Her obituary states: “She and her life was a miraculous, God-given gift to her family from the very beginning. Sarah is best remembered as a happy and compassionate young woman who loved Jesus, her family, her friends, dancing and animals.”
Her funeral is Wednesday, June 17, and in remembrance of Pool’s love for life, her family would appreciate attendees wearing her favorite colors of blue or teal.
It was that love of life that likely drew Pool to participate in her church’s One Wakeboard Camp. While at the camp, she was last seen alive about a mile from VIP Marina Lake Travis on Thursday.
Sarah Elizabeth Pool
March 13, 2000 –
June 11, 2015
“She was last seen in the water, holding onto a platform on the back of a boat. She let go of the moving boat, went under water and didn’t resurface,” said Lisa Block, Travis County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson.
At 11:22 a.m., several people flagged down Travis County Sheriff’s Office lake units, saying that a teenage girl was missing in the Cypress Creek Arm of Lake Travis near Volente.
The Sheriff’s Underwater Recovery Team was called to the scene and searched on Thursday afternoon but did not locate her. Searches on Friday did not locate her either.
STARFlight, Austin Travis County EMS and Volente Fire Department all assisted in the search but were not able to locate her. Poor visibility hindered the search.
Two days later on Saturday, a dive team discovered her body in Lake Travis at 1:20 p.m. Texas Parks and Wildlife assisted the several different search teams through use of sonar resulting in the recovery.
The Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office will continue their investigation into the cause of death with Sheriff’s detectives.
The Pool family expressed gratitude that her body was recovered, according to Austin American-Statesman. “While obviously deeply saddened, they are relieved and grateful for this news,” said Austin Ridge Bible Church in an email, speaking on behalf of the Pool family.
“The Pool family also asked that we pass along their sincere appreciation for all of the love, support and prayers they have received since Thursday,” a church official wrote, asking people to continue to pray for the Pool family, reported the Statesman. “As they cope with their loss, they are also preparing to celebrate Sarah’s life.”
Born in Austin on March 13, 2000, Pool lived in the West Lake Hills area.
Her obituary states that she “passed from this earthly life and was welcomed into her eternal home with her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.”
She is survived by her mother, Linda Pool, her older brother, Franklin Taylor, and her triplet siblings, Hannah and Matthew Pool.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to college funds benefiting Hannah and Matthew Pool at https://gift.uesp.org/PDRT3U orhttps://gift.uesp.org/8IT4WG
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Sarah Pool’s life on June 17 at 2 p.m. at Austin Ridge Bible Church at 9300 Bee Cave Road. A reception will follow the service.