Las Vegas, NV — Leticia Triplett, a 24-year U.S. Air Force veteran, is remembered by her family as a beloved mother and grandmother who served her country with honor. Triplett’s tragic death in a Las Vegas Athletic Academy (LVAC) pool on February 4 has become the focal point of ongoing lawsuits between the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) and LVAC regarding lifeguard requirements.

The Incident and Legal Battle

According to reports, Triplett, 58, drowned in the North Decatur Las Vegas Athletic Club’s pool after struggling to swim for approximately 25 minutes. Surveillance footage showed her gripping the side of the pool, attempting laps, and later struggling to stay above water by holding onto the handrail at the pool steps. Despite several people walking by and entering the pool, Triplett was left unaided until a swimmer from an adjacent pool noticed her lifeless body and pulled her out.

An LVAC employee performed CPR until paramedics arrived, but Triplett was pronounced dead shortly after. Oganna Brown, an attorney for LVAC, attributed Triplett’s death to cardiac arrest, stating, “In 46 years, there has not been a drowning event. This was a cardiac arrest, not a direct drowning event.”

However, a subsequent investigation by SNHD revealed another near-drowning incident at LVAC just days after Triplett’s death. Joel Henriod, an attorney for SNHD, argued that the lack of a lifeguard at the time of Triplett’s death was a significant oversight, emphasizing that it should not be the responsibility of customers to notice such emergencies.

A Life of Service and Love

Triplett’s family, who chose not to provide a statement to the media, shared their memories of her through a funeral home website. Triplett completed 24 years of service in the U.S. Air Force, including a tour in Afghanistan in 2008 and assignments in South Korea, the Azores Islands, New Mexico, Nevada, and Texas. She received numerous medals and ribbons for her outstanding service and was known for her hard work, dedication, and humbleness.

After retiring from the Air Force, Triplett returned to Las Vegas and worked a civilian job at Nellis Air Force Base for 12 years. Her family described her as a thoughtful and compassionate person who always remembered birthdays and loved FaceTiming her children and grandchildren. “She enjoyed spending time at home and watching her favorite TV shows,” the obituary noted.

Triplett leaves behind a son and five grandchildren, who remember her fondly for her love and devotion. As the legal proceedings continue, her family and friends focus on honoring her legacy and the life she lived serving her country and caring for her loved ones.

Source: 8 News Now