LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – A 16-year-old girl died Wednesday night after being pulled from a swimming pool at a home in Lake County.
According to the Lake County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a drowning call at 45126 Crows Bluff Road in the Lake Mack area.
Deputies said the homeowner arrived home to find the 15-year-old daughter extremely intoxicated and her 16-year-old female friend, Autumn Thompson, at the bottom of the family's swimming pool.
Both teens were taken to DeLand Hospital, where 16-year-old Autumn Thompson was pronounced dead.
"She knew how to swim," said Sue Thompson, the victim's grandmother.
That's why Sue Thompson told News 6 she still can't understand how Autumn Thompson drowned.
"When he told me she was face down in the pool, my mind just shut off and my heart stopped beating," she said.
Deputies said it happened at Autumn Thompson's friends' house Wednesday night.
"They had spent the day drinking vodka and smoking marijuana, so they feel very confident that alcohol and drugs were both factors in this," said Lt. John Herrell, Lake County Sheriff's Office.
Investigators said the girl's parents' found Autumn Thompson in the pool while their daughter was passed out in her room.
"I was supposed to hear from her Wednesday night but instead I heard from Lake County Sheriff's Office," said Thompson.
Condolences filled the teen's Facebook page.
"Autumn was a bumble of energy. Non stop. She loved art, she loved anything to do with drawing. She loved to sing," said Sue Thompson.
Sue Thompson said she was shocked and angry to learn the teens were left home alone and under the influence.
"Where were they? Who would leave two teenage girls alone in the house where there is alcohol readily available or weed is readily available?" she said.
Deputies said those questions will hopefully soon be answered.
Deputies said the 15-year-old was stable at the time she was taken to the hospital.
"They're just trying to gather all the facts that they can and put it all together to see exactly took place," said Herrell.
Officials are continuing to investigate the incident.