UW-Madison student, Wauwatosa native drowns in Lake Mendota

MADISON (WITI) -- The University of Wisconsin-Madison on Thursday, August 22nd announced the death of a student, and Wauwatosa native.

20-year-old Richard "Grady" de la Cruz was swimming with friends around 3 p.m. Wednesday, August 21st near the Porter Boathouse along the Lake Mendota shoreline when he started struggling and went underwater. Students on shore immediately attempted to rescue him.

UW-Madison Police responded, as well as emergency crews and divers, led by Madison Fire and Rescue. At 5:30 p.m., the Dane County Sheriff's dive team continued the search with his body recovered around 6:40 p.m.

DeLaCruz was a transfer student from Marquette University, new to UW-Madison.