Chilling details have emerged about the heartbreaking death of Jerri MacMeekin, a new mother who drowned during a boat party in Texas on July 4. Despite desperate efforts by three people who jumped into the water to save her, Jerri’s body was found hours later floating in Lake Conroe, Willis, Texas.
The tragic accident occurred when Jerri fell off the boat, allegedly due to her brother-in-law’s drunk and reckless driving. Jerri, who was not wearing a life jacket, went missing after the boat collided with another boat around 9 p.m. brother-in-law, Kyle Dean MacMeekin29-year-old Anniboli and his friend Shane Everett Anniboli, 44, immediately jumped in to rescue her, along with another woman on the boat. Despite their efforts, they were unable to locate the new mother.
Authorities discovered Jerri’s body hours later. Both MacMeekin and Annabel were arrested for “boating while intoxicated” and have since posted bail, according to LawCaptain Rosario of Montgomery County District 1 Lake Patrol said, “Upon arrival at the scene, we were able to locate two of the men who had jumped overboard to save her. At that point, we began searching for two women. One of them had jumped overboard to help find her. We found her about an hour later, safe on a dock.”
Capt. Miguel Rosario added: “We never enjoy pulling people out of the water, especially on a holiday weekend when you’re supposed to be having fun, enjoying time with your family.” The Montgomery County Precinct 1 Marine Division, Texas Parks and Wildlife rangers, the Montgomery County Hospital District and local fire departments arrived quickly, but it took “several long hours” of searching to find Jerri’s body. She was pronounced dead at 11:30 p.m., he said. Click on Houston.
Jerri, a senior appraiser and portfolio manager for Paragon Services and BKB Construction in Houston, recently became a mother to a baby girl, Georgia Grace MacMeekin, born December 14, 2023. She and her husband, Brandon MacMeekin, 32, had married in January 2021. Tragically, Jerri only had seven months to experience motherhood.
The Houston Chronicle reported that Montgomery County District Attorney Brett Ligon highlighted the dangers of boating under the influence. “It appears that what we have is two drivers charged with boating while intoxicated and a woman who lost her life in an accident on the lake… These are the dangers of being on a boat drinking all day, the dangers of being on a lake full of people.”
Records show MacMeekin was released on $3,000 bail, while Anniboli was released on $1,000 bail. Officer Philip Cash expressed his deepest condolences and reminded all Lake Conroe residents to wear safety gear. “No matter your experience on the water, personal flotation devices (PFDs or life jackets) save lives,” he said.
