Tragedy struck in Appanoose County, Iowa, earlier this summer when 17-year-old Ayden Beeson, a popular high school student and Prom King, was found dead shortly after being reported missing. On June 26, 2024, Ayden disappeared while swimming at Rathbun Lake. Despite a swift response from the Appanoose County Sheriff’s Office and Water Rescue team, his body was recovered from 15 to 20 feet of water. Ayden was pronounced dead at the scene.

Ayden was a well-known figure in the Centerville School District, excelling in both football and tennis. Superintendent Mark Taylor described him as “a great kid being lost in the prime of his life,” noting how he was “nice to everybody” and a “really popular kid that everybody liked.” The Centerville Community Schools expressed their grief on Facebook, stating they were “deeply saddened” by Ayden’s passing. The district highlighted his involvement in the school community and remembered him for being “genuinely kind.” Ayden’s untimely death has left a significant impact on his community, as friends, family, and classmates mourn the loss of a young life full of promise.