Cesar Chavez High School football player found dead in Show Low Lake after search

Christopher Hampton, a 15-year-old Laveen Cesar Chavez High School football player, was found dead in Show Low Lake on Tuesday after going missing the day before.

The football team was in summer camp in the White Mountains at Lakeside Blue Ridge High and decided to go to the lake at the neighboring town.

The Navajo County Sheriff's Office offered its condolences to Hampton's family and thanked the various partner agencies that were involved in the search effort.

Richard Franco, spokesman for the Phoenix Union High School District, issued a statement, expressing sympathy to Hampton's family and friends who are grieving his loss.

"This tragedy impacts all communities that we serve," the statement says. "PXU continues to offer emotional support for students, staff and families impacted. Christopher was a friend, athlete and kind young man that will be deeply missed by all those who knew him."

Franco said the district and Cesar Chavez will continue to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.

"We want to thank the Laveen and Phoenix Union communities for their extensive support during this difficult time," the statement said. "We also thank the Show Low Police Department, Navajo County Sheriff’s Office, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team, the Blue Ridge community, the Phoenix Police Department and all the first responders for their support.

"Our deepest sympathies are with Christopher’s family and friends."

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Dive Team arrived at Show Low at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday to assist with locating the missing teen.

"All three Navajo County Search and Rescue groups, the Navajo County Search and Rescue, the White Mountain Sheriff’s Posse and the Hashknife, have been activated. Arizona DPS air rescue is also on scene," the statement said.

On Tuesday morning, the Navajo County Sheriff's Office said that at about 8 p.m. Monday, it first received a 911 call regarding a missing 15-year-old.

"Officers from the Show Low Police Department, Deputies from the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office and members of the Timber Mesa Fire Department responded immediately to locate the missing juvenile," the release said. "Searches were conducted throughout the area by boat, ground and air."

Cesar Chavez Athletic Director Lenny Doerfler responded to an email from The Arizona Republic, stating to reach out to the Phoenix Union High School District spokesman.

Franco released this statement prior to the discovery of Hampton's body:

"While attending an athletic camp at Lakeside-Blue Ridge High School on Monday, July 17, the Cesar Chavez Football team traveled to a lake after the camp ended. During their time at the lake, a student-athlete went missing. Police were immediately contacted, who deployed a dive team, air support and boats to investigate a potential tragedy at the lake.

"Phoenix Union will provide emotional support for the students, staff, and families connected to the Cesar Chavez Football team and the broader Chavez community.

"Our hearts are with the family as we continue to search. We hope for our student's safe return and appreciate the outpouring of support during this difficult time."

'Chris will live in our hearts forever':Cesar Chavez High School mourns football camp tragedy

Chavez head football coach William Chipley did not return multiple messages.

On Wednesday morning, on Twitter, he posted a photo of Hampton with these words:

"This is my man Chris. He never missed practice and always came in with an infectious smile. Chris was using football to find his way in life and he absolutely loved the game. It’s kids like Chris that give me my “why” to coach football. Chris will live in our hearts forever."

Several high school football programs in the Valley come to Blue Ridge for their camps ahead of the start of official Arizona Interscholastic Association practices to build for the season and escape the extreme heat. Show Low is a neighboring town of Lakeside.

The Republic's Perry Vandell contributed reporting for this article.

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on Twitter@azc_obert.