Family of Jasmine Preng Corrects Record After Lake Tapps Drowning Death
The family of 10-year-old Jasmine Preng is speaking out to correct public misinformation following her tragic death after a drowning incident at Lake Tapps. In an emotional interview, Jasmine’s father, Preng Nuth, clarified that his daughter went to the lake on August 16 with a co-worker and friend of her mother, contrary to earlier media reports that stated she was accompanied by her grandmother. The correction comes as the family attempts to navigate their devastating loss while also shielding Jasmine’s memory from inaccuracies that have circulated in the days since the incident. The Preng family has been overwhelmed by grief, and the added burden of correcting the public record has made an already unbearable situation even more difficult. Nuth’s statement was direct and heartfelt, emphasizing that the person who took Jasmine to the lake that day was not a relative but a trusted acquaintance of Jasmine’s mother. The distinction matters deeply to the family, who want the true circumstances of Jasmine’s final hours to be understood accurately as they mourn.
The timeline of the tragedy began on August 16, when Jasmine accompanied her mother’s co-worker and friend to Lake Tapps, a popular recreational area in Pierce County, Washington. Later that day, Jasmine’s mother received a devastating phone call informing her that her daughter had drowned. First responders rushed the 10-year-old to the hospital, where medical staff placed her on a ventilator in a desperate effort to save her life. Despite the best efforts of doctors and nurses, the situation deteriorated rapidly. According to her father, doctors declared Jasmine brain dead on Wednesday following the incident, and she died on Friday. The family has not released additional details about the exact circumstances of the drowning, and no further information has been provided about whether any safety equipment or supervision issues were involved. What remains clear is that a vibrant young life was cut short in a matter of days, leaving her parents, her sister, and the wider community in profound shock and sorrow. The hospital stay, the ventilator, and the final declaration of brain death have all become painful milestones in a nightmare that the family never expected to face.
Jasmine Preng was more than a statistic or a tragic headline; she was a bright, intelligent student who was preparing to enter the fifth grade when the school year was supposed to begin. Her family shared that she had already packed her backpack for the upcoming school year, a small but heartbreaking detail that underscores how ready she was to continue her education and pursue her dreams. Jasmine loved to draw, and her artwork now serves as a cherished memory for her grieving parents, who have surrounded themselves with her creations as they try to find some comfort in the midst of overwhelming pain. She aspired to become a doctor, a dream that reflected both her compassion and her ambition. Her parents described her as a child full of promise, curiosity, and creativity, someone who brought joy to those around her. The loss has made it nearly impossible for the family to return to daily routines or work. Every corner of their home reminds them of Jasmine, and the simple act of seeing her backpack or her drawings is enough to bring fresh waves of grief. Her sister, who also spoke with reporters, has been deeply affected by the loss, and the entire family is leaning on one another as they attempt to process a future without Jasmine in it.
As the family copes with this unimaginable loss, they are also navigating unexpected financial hardships. The sudden and tragic nature of Jasmine’s death has left them with significant medical bills from the hospital care she received, as well as the looming costs of funeral and burial expenses. To help ease this burden, a GoFundMe campaign has been established in Jasmine’s memory. The campaign has become a focal point for community members who want to offer support, with donations coming in from friends, neighbors, and even strangers who were moved by Jasmine’s story. The funds are intended to cover the medical expenses incurred during her time in the hospital, as well as the costs associated with laying her to rest. The family has expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support, but they remain acutely aware that no amount of money can bring Jasmine back. Still, the financial assistance provides a small measure of relief during a time when they are unable to work and are struggling to focus on anything other than their grief. The GoFundMe page has also become a place where people can leave messages of condolence, sharing their own memories of Jasmine or simply offering words of encouragement to her family.
In speaking with FOX 13 Seattle, Jasmine’s family hoped to correct the record and prevent further misinformation from spreading. They asked the public to respect their privacy as they grieve and to remember Jasmine for who she truly was: a loving daughter, a caring sister, a budding artist, and a child with a dream of becoming a doctor. The father’s clarification about the circumstances of the lake trip was not meant to assign blame, but rather to ensure that the facts are accurately reported. The family is aware that media coverage can shape public perception, and they do not want Jasmine’s story to be defined by errors. They also emphasized that the person who accompanied Jasmine to the lake was someone their mother trusted, and they have not made any public statements suggesting negligence or wrongdoing. Instead, they are focusing on honoring Jasmine’s memory and supporting each other through the difficult days ahead. The family’s decision to speak publicly, even while in the depths of grief, reflects their desire to set the record straight and to thank the community for its kindness and generosity during this painful time.
The information for this story came from original reporting by FOX 13 Seattle’s Shirah Matsuzawa, who spoke directly with Jasmine’s family, including her father, mother, and sister. As the Lake Tapps community and the broader Seattle area continue to mourn, Jasmine’s family is left to grapple with the sudden and senseless loss of a young girl who had so much life ahead of her. Her story has touched many, not only because of the tragedy itself, but because of the vivid picture her family has painted of a bright, artistic, and ambitious child whose future was stolen far too soon. While the family faces the difficult road ahead, they are holding onto the memories of Jasmine’s laughter, her drawings, and her dream of one day helping others as a doctor. They hope that the public will remember her not as a victim, but as a beloved child whose life mattered deeply to those who knew her. In the coming days, they will lay Jasmine to rest, surrounded by the love of family and friends, and they ask only for privacy, prayers, and continued support as they begin the long process of healing from an unimaginable loss.
