Drowning deaths of Robert F. Kennedy's granddaughter and her son ruled an accident

[mystery-ak]

Drowning deaths of Robert F. Kennedy's granddaughter and her son ruled an accident
by Zachary Halaschak
 | April 14, 2020 04:35 PM

Robert F. Kennedy’s granddaughter and his great-grandson drowned to death in a canoeing accident, officials in Maryland have ruled.

Maeve Kennedy Townsend McKean, 40, and her 8-year-old son Gideon went missing early this month after the two went canoeing in the Chesapeake Bay. The family had been quarantining because of the coronavirus pandemic at a family house in Maryland when they reportedly got into the water in an attempt to retrieve a stray ball.

McKean’s body was found three days after the duo went missing. She was found about 2.5 miles away from the home and submerged in 25 feet of water. Underwater imaging sonar technology was used to locate her remains. Gideon’s body was found the following day, submerged about 2,000 feet from where his mother was discovered.

A spokesman with the Maryland Department of Health said in a statement to the Washington Examiner that officials found the deaths to be accidental.

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https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/drowning-deaths-of-robert-f-kennedys-granddaughter-and-her-son-ruled-an-accident

[truth_seeker]

Any needless death is sad.

An 8 year old might be a great swimmer, or not. Maybe water conditions were more risky than the pair was prepared for.

[Free Vulcan]

Can I call BS on this story? Who the heck gets into the water this time of year when it's still freezing? Who launches a canoe just to go retrieve a ball?

[Right_in_Virginia]

Can I call BS on this story? Who the heck gets into the water this time of year when it's still freezing? Who launches a canoe just to go retrieve a ball?

The day was also quite windy and the water very choppy.  Who does this to retrieve a ball?  A Kennedy.

[Right_in_Virginia]

Gideon’s body was found the following day, submerged about 2,000 feet from where his mother was discovered.

I'm relieved for the family.

[musiclady]

Can I call BS on this story? Who the heck gets into the water this time of year when it's still freezing? Who launches a canoe just to go retrieve a ball?

Arrogant, entitled people?

The shame is when an 8 year old is sacrificed because of that arrogance.  This is a tragedy all around.

[240B]

Can I call BS on this story? Who the heck gets into the water this time of year when it's still freezing? Who launches a canoe just to go retrieve a ball?

I agree. The story is very weird.
Seems like those Kennedys cannot seem to shake the curse.
Even down to the great-grandson level.

[Neverdul]

Any needless death is sad.

An 8 year old might be a great swimmer, or not. Maybe water conditions were more risky than the pair was prepared for.

In looking at the map where this tragedy happened I’m guessing, and this is just my guess, that she thought it was safe because the cove was protected and somewhat sheltered and the water probably looked relatively calm. But what she may not have accounted for was that the wind (and it was very windy that day) was blowing the water out of the cove and into the Bay and a woman and 8-year old in a canoe were not strong enough to paddle against the unseen current, akin to a rip tide that pushed them out of the creek and into the Bay were they were likely overwhelmed and or panicked in trying to get back to safety.

[Smokin Joe]

Any needless death is sad.

An 8 year old might be a great swimmer, or not. Maybe water conditions were more risky than the pair was prepared for.

Three foot swells are a lot harder to swim in than a swimming pool. Small craft warnings went unheeded and they took a canoe to retrieve a ball that had gone overboard, apparently without PFDs. In any body of water, but especially the Chesapeake Bay, that is a recipe for disaster.

[Formerly Once-Ler]

Can I call BS on this story? Who the heck gets into the water this time of year when it's still freezing? Who launches a canoe just to go retrieve a ball?

This story stinks.  I want to know who is the survivor who reported the story of the lost ball, but didn't think to stop them getting in the canoe without life-preservers.  My FIL owns a boat.  We always wear life-preservers on it even though it's large enough to comfortable seat 12, and even though we are all skilled swimmers, to set an example for our children.  My children wear helmets to ride their bikes.  Something doesn't add up here. 

[catfish1957]

This story stinks.  I want to know who is the survivor who reported the story of the lost ball, but didn't think to stop them getting in the canoe without life-preservers.  My FIL owns a boat.  We always wear life-preservers on it even though it's large enough to comfortable seat 12, and even though we are all skilled swimmers, to set an example for our children.  My children wear helmets to ride their bikes.  Something doesn't add up here.

Taking basically a canoe out into the ocean is called an accident?  Hmmmmm.....

[Free Vulcan]

This story stinks.  I want to know who is the survivor who reported the story of the lost ball, but didn't think to stop them getting in the canoe without life-preservers.  My FIL owns a boat.  We always wear life-preservers on it even though it's large enough to comfortable seat 12, and even though we are all skilled swimmers, to set an example for our children.  My children wear helmets to ride their bikes.  Something doesn't add up here.

I remember falling into a shallow creek in late winter once. Though not deep falling into it soaked me pretty good. The water was so cold it hurt.

Grew up on the upper Mississippi, a large enough body of water to respect it and instinctively know you just didn't go out on it in late winter/early spring, especially in a canoe.

Not to mention the Kennedys are a boating family. I'm just dumbfounded at this.

[sneakypete]

@Free Vulcan

Can I call BS on this story?

You can if you don't mind being wrong.

 

Who the heck gets into the water this time of year when it's still freezing?

The water wasn't freezing,and the air temp was probably in the  60's.

Who launches a canoe just to go retrieve a ball?

A JFK offsprung. The ball was probably smarter than she was.

[sneakypete]

Seems like those Kennedys cannot seem to shake the curse.
Even down to the great-grandson level.

@240B

That's the sort of thing you can expect after a few generations of Trust Fund Money marrying Trust Fund Money.

[Smokin Joe]

You can if you don't mind being wrong.

 
The water wasn't freezing,and the air temp was probably in the  60's.

A JFK offsprung. The ball was probably smarter than she was.

Even 70 degree water will make a kid hypothermic in short order.

[dfwgator]

@240B

That's the sort of thing you can expect after a few generations of Trust Fund Money marrying Trust Fund Money.

But they know what's best for us.

[Idiot]

You can if you don't mind being wrong.

 
The water wasn't freezing,and the air temp was probably in the  60's.

A JFK offsprung. The ball was probably smarter than she was.

Wow....2 people dead and people joke about it.  Sounds pretty tragic to me...  Prayers for the family.

[sneakypete]

Wow....2 people dead and people joke about it.  Sounds pretty tragic to me...  Prayers for the family.

@mrpotatohead

I don't mind joking about it at all because the little retard was a Kennedy from Mass,and a potential future danger to the Republic.

Hell,his mother had been a Lt Governor,and she was so freaking stupid she took her kid out in water with 2 foot waves in a freaking canoe to retrieve a ball that cost less than 5 dollars.

To add ice cream to the top of that treat,neither she nor he was wearing a life vest.

[Smokin Joe]

@mrpotatohead

I don't mind joking about it at all because the little retard was a Kennedy from Mass,and a potential future danger to the Republic.

Hell,his mother had been a Lt Governor,and she was so freaking stupid she took her kid out in water with 2 foot waves in a freaking canoe to retrieve a ball that cost less than 5 dollars.

To add ice cream to the top of that treat,neither she nor he was wearing a life vest.

Yep. That's a string of events any 10 year old who grew up on the water would have avoided like the plague--and would have told adults the same.

[Applewood]

@mrpotatohead

I don't mind joking about it at all because the little retard was a Kennedy from Mass,and a potential future danger to the Republic.

Hell,his mother had been a Lt Governor,and she was so freaking stupid she took her kid out in water with 2 foot waves in a freaking canoe to retrieve a ball that cost less than 5 dollars.

To add ice cream to the top of that treat, neither she nor he was wearing a life vest.

@sneakypete

I guess this is why I haven't said RIP or offered prayers or condolences.  If I did any of those things, it would be phony.

Bottom line is that since the deaths of JFK and RFK,  the tragedies that have befallen the Kennedy family were directly the result of their own poor judgment of the victims.  I keep wondering when the family is going to realize that all the money in the world is not going to save you from your own stupidity.

[Smokin Joe]

@sneakypete

I guess this is why I haven't said RIP or offered prayers or condolences.  If I did any of those things, it would be phony.

Bottom line is that since the deaths of JFK and RFK,  the tragedies that have befallen the Kennedy family were directly the result of their own poor judgment of the victims.  I keep wondering when the family is going to realize that all the money in the world is not going to save you from your own stupidity.

It won't, but it will buy the services of those who generally will, for a while, at least.

[Formerly Once-Ler]

@sneakypete

I guess this is why I haven't said RIP or offered prayers or condolences.  If I did any of those things, it would be phony.

Bottom line is that since the deaths of JFK and RFK,  the tragedies that have befallen the Kennedy family were directly the result of their own poor judgment of the victims.  I keep wondering when the family is going to realize that all the money in the world is not going to save you from your own stupidity.

Really?  I'm not bragging and I'm not ashamed to say I said a prayer for Gideon.  If I was good Christian I should say one for the mother but I'm judgemental.

[Idiot]

Really?  I'm not bragging and I'm not ashamed to say I said a prayer for Gideon.  If I was good Christian I should say one for the mother but I'm judgemental.

If not for the grace of God go I.....

[mystery-ak]

I too prayed for both of them..not embarrassed to say so...

I will say this...how much to replace a soccer ball..$25 bucks...I just can't get past that, that they had to chase the ball in a canoe...

[musiclady]

I too prayed for both of them..not embarrassed to say so...

I will say this...how much to replace a soccer ball..$25 bucks...I just can't get past that, that they had to chase the ball in a canoe...

There is no way an 8 year old should be blamed for the family he was born into.

This is a great tragedy, a completely senseless tragedy, no matter what the family name is.