Margaret Gonzales, the sister of Leticia Triplett who tragically drowned at a Las Vegas Athletic Club pool, is feeling conflicted about the release of a video capturing the incident. While Gonzales questions why LVAC is opposed to releasing the video and wonders what they may be hiding, she also acknowledges the emotional difficulty that would come with the video being made public, as it would bring back painful memories every time it is mentioned in the news.
The Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) has responded to a lawsuit filed by the athletic club by requesting the court to enforce its ruling requiring fitness centers to have a lifeguard on duty when pools are open, starting on August 12. Additionally, the SNHD is seeking permission to release the video of the drowning incident, which was requested by a media organization. This decision comes after the health district denied LVAC’s appeal and mandated in-person lifeguard monitoring at gym pools, citing Triplett’s tragic death and other health violations at remotely monitored pools in the region.
LVAC has opposed the release of the video, arguing that it contains private medical information and its disclosure would violate the privacy of Triplett, her family, and other club members. On the other hand, the SNHD maintains that the video is evidence in the lawsuit and not a medical record. The district has assured that faces in the video would be obscured to protect privacy if it is ultimately released, pending a court decision.
In light of these developments, a hearing regarding the release of the video is scheduled for July 23. This case has brought attention to the history of the lifeguard ruling, which initially granted exceptions for remote pool monitoring in 2020 but was revoked earlier this year due to numerous violations at gyms with remotely monitored pools. Gyms like EoS Fitness have had to adapt by either hiring lifeguards or closing pools to comply with the revised regulations.
Leticia Triplett, a 24-year Air Force veteran who worked at Nellis Air Force Base for 12 years, is remembered as a beloved sister, mother, aunt, and friend. While Gonzales has chosen not to speak further about her sister, the online obituary provides insight into Triplett’s life and career before the tragic incident at LVAC’s pool.
As the legal battle continues and the community awaits a decision on the video’s release, the case serves as a reminder of the importance of pool safety regulations and the impact of tragic incidents on families and facilities alike. The outcome of the upcoming hearing will shed light on the delicate balance between transparency, privacy, and accountability in such cases.
