Police identify teen who drowned in Turtle Pond

A teenager that drowned at a pond has been identified by officials.

According to Dave Procopio of the Massachusetts State Police, the swimmer who drowned in Turtle Pond in Hyde Park yesterday is identified as Jason Peri Bonilla, 19, of Roxbury. Bonilla’s body was recovered by members of the Massachusetts State Police Dive Team, working in conjunction with the Boston Fire Department and Boston Police Department, at approximately 7:45 p.m. yesterday, approximately three hours after he began struggling while trying to swim across the pond and went under the water.

Preliminary investigation by the State Police Detective Unit for Suffolk County indicates that Bonilla went to the pond with several friends around 3:30 p.m. and members of the group began swimming. Investigation indicates that Bonilla may have used marijuana prior to swimming, and that he was a good swimmer. At one point Bonilla and one of the friends decided to swim from one dock to another dock across the pond. About halfway to the other side of the pond, at about 4:40 p.m., Bonilla began to struggle to continue. His friend attempted to keep him above water but was not able to do so. Bonilla’s friends and bystanders attempted to search the water for him as first responders rushed to the scene but could not locate him.

Procopio stated that Bonilla was living in Boston with relatives. His immediate family lives in Honduras.