Woman Grieves Loss of Son, Husband | News

LAS VEGAS -- A family is grieving the loss of a father and his 2-year-old son who died Sunday during an outing to Lake Mohave.

The man's wife, Abelina Espejel, said her family was spending the day near Six Mile Cove when she looked up and saw her husband and son lifeless in the water.

Two-year-old Angel, who was diagnosed with autism, and his father, Pabalo Hernandez Cortez, were in the water together while Espejel watched her other sons on the shore.

Speaking through a translator, Espejel said she doesn't understand why this happened. She speculated that personal watercraft might have pushed them further from the water's edge.

Passers-by spotted the father and son in the water and pulled them to the beach, where they performed CPR until medical help arrived.

Cortez died at the lake. Angel was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Espejel said she tries to get up in the morning for her other children, but she can't find the strength to do it. She said she doesn't know how she will move on with her life.

The Clark County Coroner's Office is investigating to determine the official cause of death.