Family of Cesar Chavez High School student who drowned at football camp sues school district

PHOENIX — Christopher Hampton, 15, drowned at a school summer football camp in July. His family is filing a lawsuit against the Phoenix Union High School District for $50 million in damages, the family's attorney announced.

Christopher Hampton, a student at Cesar Chavez High School, went missing on Show Low Lake on July 17, 2023 and his body was found the next day at the bottom of the lake.

VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Familia de estudiante de preparatoria Cesar Chávez que se ahogó en campamento de fútbol demanda al distrito escolar

Lawyers for Hampton's family previously that Show Low Lake is designated as "non-swimming," and blames several different entities for the tragic death including the school, the school district, the coach and assistant principal, the City of Show Low and Arizona Game & Fish.

After Hampton's death, the school district updated its travel policies but the family said that it was too little, too late. A statement from the family's attorney, Benjamin Taylor, read as follows:

"Coaches and administrators were warned not to go swimming and knew Christopher could not swim, however, they still took students to Show Low Lake. They blatantly disregarded warning signs and left Christopher behind after the headcount. Because of their carelessness, Christopher Hampton lost his life. The lawsuit forces Phoenix Union High School District to take accountability and face the consequences of their negligence. While the Hampton family is grieving and nothing will ever bring Christopher back, we hope this will bring justice to the family and prevent anything like this happening to students in the future."

Hampton had reportedly been left behind after his group had boarded their buses and headed back to the camp. It wasn't until before bed that students alerted coaches Hampton was missing.

The high school student was later found dead at the lake. Hampton's death was ruled an accident.

"We love and miss Chrisotpher dearly. He was an amazing young man, wonderful student and had a bright future ahead of him," Hampton's family said. "The pain of losing him is unbearable. We hope the lawsuit will bring our son justice."

The district is facing four counts of gross negligence and wrongful death as part of the suit.

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