14-year-old dies during church group trip to South Dakota
August 23, 2026 at 7:08 AM MT · via YouTube / Generally Unquotable · Summarized by Mormon News from original reporting
A 14-year-old named Easton Kotee died during an LDS church group trip to South Dakota, according to Generally Unquotable's Mormon news update. Authorities report that Easton slipped from the water's edge at a location called Hippie Hole in the Black Hills. The video covers the incident as part of a roundup of Mormon news stories from the past week.
The tragedy occurred during what appears to have been a youth group activity, though full details about supervision and circumstances were not available in the reporting. The incident raises questions about youth activity safety protocols and supervision standards for church-sponsored trips.
Mormon News summarizes reporting from established outlets and always links to the original. See an error? Report it.
Related coverage
- Researchers present evidence 1844 photograph shows Joseph Smith
via The Salt Lake Tribune · October 8, 2026
- Church releases video series following young adults through Salt Lake Temple
via The Salt Lake Tribune · October 8, 2026
- Utah Rep. Blake Moore endorses ballot measure raising initiative threshold
via ABC4 Utah · October 8, 2026
- Utah Supreme Court hears challenge to Legislature's constitutional court
via The Salt Lake Tribune · October 7, 2026
From the Mormon News Podcast
- Nemo Goes Global, Mormon Stories Lawsuit Update & LDS Baby Bust - Mormon News 10.2.26 | Ep. 2204
Full episode and transcript · October 2, 2026
- LDS Retention Drop, Church Opposes Abortion Rights in Idaho, Nevada - Mormon News 9.25.26 | Ep. 2200
Full episode and transcript · September 25, 2026