Police identify Lee’s Summit teen who drowned in subdivision swimming pool

A Lee’s Summit teenager drowned Friday night at a subdivision swimming pool, Lee’s Summit police said.

Police initially identified her Monday as Emma Maddy-Ramsey, 17, of Lee’s Summit, but later said that she had been in the process of changing her name to Emma Aronson. Family members requested that name be used, police said.

Friends pulled her from the pool about 9:45 p.m. Friday, police said.

Onlookers provided first aid until paramedics arrived at the pool in the 400 block of Northeast Anderson Drive and took her to a hospital, where doctors pronounced her dead.

Aronson had just completed her junior year at Lee’s Summit High School, said K.J. Dillard, 18, a friend. They met a few years ago on a basketball court at Abundant Life Church in Lee’s Summit, he said.

Dillard recalled how Aronson effortlessly handled emcee duties at a slam-dunk contest last winter at the church. She pumped up the crowd and encouraged the participants, Dillard said.

“She played a huge role in Abundant Life’s student ministry,” he said. “She was a selfless, outgoing and inspirational girl who will never be forgotten.”

Abundant Life provided pastors and counselors Sunday to help the grieving process. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Aronson’s family with funeral expenses.

This story was originally published June 8, 2015 at 11:29 AM with the headline "Police identify Lee’s Summit teen who drowned in subdivision swimming pool."