Mandeville is in mourning after a recent Mandeville High graduate drowned while tubing on the Bogue Chitto River on Saturday. Friends and classmates gathered at the lakeshore to remember 18-year-old Jonis Warren, who had been planning to study engineering at LSU. Funeral services are scheduled for Thursday, June 18, and the community has launched fundraising efforts to help his family with arrangements.
Search Crews Recover Warren’s Body
According to FOX 8, Washington Parish Sheriff's Office dispatchers received a 911 call at about 1:44 p.m. Saturday reporting that someone tubing on the river had gone under and not resurfaced. Deputies, volunteers from the District Six Fire Department, Northshore Ambulance EMTs and a dive team using sonar searched the area. The station reports that a veteran rescue diver located the young man's remains and that the coroner received them.
Friends Mourn A Beloved Classmate
Warren's girlfriend, Scarlett Groves, told FOX 8 that he "dunked his head under the water" and did not come back up the second time. Friend Evan Mandella called Warren "his brother" in a statement. The station reports that friends gathered at the lakeshore to honor him and that a fundraiser has been started to help cover funeral expenses. Services are set for Thursday, June 18, FOX 8 notes. Veteran diver Mark Michaud, who located the body, told the station, "Having lost a son, I know how they feel," describing the search and recovery as painful for everyone involved.
Senior Skipper With LSU Plans
Warren is listed on Mandeville High’s Class of 2026 senior roster. Mandeville High School Football shows his name among teammates, and classmates say he had planned to enroll at LSU to study engineering.
Beloved River Spot Comes With Risks
The Bogue Chitto River is a popular stretch for tubing, paddling and fishing, and Bogue Chitto State Park advertises river access and floats for families and visitors. Louisiana State Parks highlights the park’s tubing and paddling amenities, and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries urges the public to use U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets, follow boater education rules and watch for underwater hazards when spending time on rivers. LDWF emphasizes that proper flotation and close supervision save lives.
