Kathrynn Bottoms Obituary: 21-Year-Old Washington, IN Woman Tragically Drowns in White River Near Maysville Access Site
Kathrynn Bottoms, a vibrant 21-year-old from Washington, Indiana, lost her life on July 17, 2025, in a tragic drowning accident in the White River. She was among a group of swimmers at the Maysville Public Access Site when two individuals were swept downstream. Emergency crews worked swiftly—saving one juvenile victim, but sadly finding Kathrynn’s body later that day
Incident Overview
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Time & Location: Around 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at Maysville Public Access Site along White River in Southern Indiana .
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Sequence of Events: During a leisure outing with others, two swimmers were swept away by strong currents. Conservation officers and emergency responders rescued the juvenile from a downstream sandbar. Efforts to recover Kathrynn’s body were successful later that day
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Emergency Response: The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Law Enforcement, Daviess County Sheriff’s Office, and Daviess Community Hospital EMS coordinated the rescue, recovery, and assessment
Honoring Her Memory
Kathrynn was known in her community as a bright, energetic young woman—cherished by family and friends for her caring nature and enthusiasm for outdoor activities. Her untimely death has left a profound void in Washington and Daviess counties. Though details of her personal life, education, and future aspirations are not publicly documented, friends and neighbors describe her as compassionate and full of promise.
Safety Reminder & Community Reflection
Following Kathrynn’s passing, Indiana Conservation Officers urged a powerful reminder: always wear life jackets near or in rivers. The White River, known for its scenic beauty, can hold hidden currents that prove deadly even to strong swimmers . Her passing underscores the unpredictable dangers of natural waterways, prompting renewed calls for water safety education and awareness.
Messages of Sympathy
While a formal obituary and service arrangements have not been publicly released, community sentiment reflects deep sorrow. Washington residents and area officials have expressed condolences to Kathrynn’s grieving family—a young life devoted to simple joys, now frozen in a moment of tragedy.
Local authorities emphasized that their thoughts remain with all affected, including the rescued juvenile and their family, who also faced trauma during the event.
In Closing
Kathrynn Bottoms’ life, though brief, illuminated the lives of those around her. Her sudden death is a solemn reminder of nature’s unpredictability. As the community mourns her loss, her story serves as a timely call to prioritize safety and support one another in grief.
May her spirit be remembered—not for the tragic circumstances of her passing—but for the warmth and presence she brought to those fortunate enough to know her.
If you have any memories of Kathrynn or wish to closely support the family, community channels in Washington, IN, will share ways to offer condolences when they become available.