A Tooele County family has launched a fundraising campaign to return the body of a 27-year-old man to Peru following his death by drowning at Sand Hollow State Park in St. George. The organizer, Grecia Ninanya, is seeking $8,000 to cover repatriation costs after the fatal incident occurred at the reservoir.
Fundraiser Seeks Repatriation Funds
The fundraiser, titled "Hombre de 27 años muere ahogado (hollow state park)," was created by Ninanya on July 28, 2026. According to the GoFundMe campaign description, the funds are intended for the repatriation of a family member who died by drowning at the state park near St. George.
As of Monday morning, the campaign had raised $1,537 toward its total goal of $8,000. The effort has received contributions from 11 donors, including a significant donation of $750 from Karalee Hawkins.
Sand Hollow Park Conditions
The tragedy took place at Sand Hollow State Park, a major recreation area in Southern Utah. According to park information from Utah State Parks, the reservoir is a significant local resource and serves as the county's source of drinking water.
Due to the importance of the water supply, park regulations strictly prohibit the refueling of any vessel or watercraft while floating on the reservoir to ensure the water remains free of chemicals or gasoline.
Park Safety and Restrictions
At the time of the reported incident, Sand Hollow State Park was operating under summer hours, with park access available from 6 AM to 10 PM. Recent reports on park conditions indicated that the main boat ramp was open and launching conditions were good, with water levels at approximately 76%.
However, the park has been under Stage 2 Fire Restrictions. According to official updates from July 27, 2026, no open fires of any kind are permitted within the park, including those in established fire pits, charcoal grills, or pellet grills. Only properly shielded gas or liquid-fueled portable camp stoves with a shut-off valve may be used, provided they are placed in a barren area at least three feet in diameter with no flammable vegetation.
Environmental Health Warnings
Other active conditions at the park include warnings regarding swimmer's itch, which becomes active when lake water temperatures exceed 65 degrees. Park officials also advise visitors to monitor health watches for harmful algae blooms.
In addition to fire restrictions, the park prohibits several activities to protect its resources, including the use of glass on sandy beaches and cliff jumping rocks, as well as the carving or etching of sandstone rocks.
