Alachua County, FL – The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an apparent accidental drowning after a 20-year-old Chicago man was found unresponsive in a swimming pool at a Gainesville mobile home park.
According to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded at approximately 6:25 p.m. Saturday, July 12, 2026, to a report of a possible drowning at the Hidden Oaks Mobile Home Park community pool, located at 100 Castle Drive in Gainesville.
When deputies arrived, they found an unresponsive adult male submerged in the deep end of the pool. Deputies entered the water, removed the victim and immediately began lifesaving measures, including CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). Alachua County Fire Rescue transported the man to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Authorities identified the victim as Gildan Cornelious, 20, of Chicago, Illinois. His next of kin has been notified.
According to investigators, surveillance video and witness interviews indicate Cornelious entered the deep end of the pool with an 11-year-old child. The child was able to safely exit the water, but investigators say Cornelious failed to resurface. Another adult arrived moments later, realized Cornelious was underwater and called 911.
Detectives said neither Cornelious nor the child knew how to swim. At this time, investigators have found no evidence of foul play, and the incident appears to be an accidental drowning.
The District Eight Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct an autopsy to determine the official cause and manner of death. The sheriff’s office said victim advocates are assisting the child who witnessed the incident.
The investigation remains active, but no criminal activity is suspected.
