Max Lenail.Photo: San Diego Police Department
The body of a 21-year-old college student studying to be a doctor was recovered in a California park on Saturday, following what his family believes was a freak accident.
Max Lenail, who was from Palo Alto, was last seen going for a run on Friday at Mission Trails Regional Park in San Diego, the San Diego Police Department said.
He’d moved to the city just two weeks ago in order to spend as much time as possible outdoors as he finished his pre-med studies at Brown University remotely, mom Laurie Yoler told CBS/CW affiliateKFMB.
“Max was my rock, I knew if anything ever went wrong in my life Max would be there to say the right thing, do the right thing, and take care of everyone,” she told the outlet.
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Dad Ben Lenail told Fox affiliateKSWBthat his son was an experienced athlete and outdoorsman, but likely slipped and fell at some point during his hike.
“He knew the wilderness, but he probably slipped and then hit his head and died of a combination of head trauma and hypothermia,” Ben Lenail said. “The best way to describe it is a freak accident.”
Lenail’s father said he was set to graduate from college in May, and looked forward to dedicating the rest of his life to helping others.
“He had an incredibly generous, caring nature and he was going to spend decades healing and helping other human beings,” he told KSWB. “My heart is full of love for my family, and for him, and the fact that he was such a luminous presence for 21 years.”
On Sunday, Lenail’s family and friends gathered to pick up trash and clean up the beach in his honor, while dozens of friends left remembrances on apublic Facebook tribute page.
source: people.com
