People gathered Monday night to honor the lives of three men who were found dead on Saturday afternoon (July 17) from apparent carbon monoxide poisoning at the Faster Horses Festival in Brooklyn, Michigan.
The three men, who were close friends and played high school football together, have been identified as Dawson Brown, 20, of Michigan Center in Jackson County; William Mays II, 20, of Jackson; and Kole Sova, 19, of Jackson, according to Lenawee County Sheriff Troy Beveier.
The three men were all in their 20’s and were in their trailer on the campgrounds directly across the street from the Faster Horses Festival. Two other men were found alive near the three men, but they were unresponsive and in critical condition.
A candlelight vigil was held Monday night at Michigan Center High School in Michigan Center, where Brown, Mays and Sova all graduated.
Brown had a landscape and lawn business, Mays had talked about selling insurance and Sova worked at the Jiffy Mix plant in Chelsea and had taken college classes.
The Lenawee County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement on Saturday, explaining that emergency medical responders and sheriff deputies responded to the scene after receiving a 911 call.
“According to Sheriff Investigators, the caller was a friend of the five males and became concerned when he had not heard from them. This tragic incident is being investigated as a suspected carbon monoxide exposure from a generator located very near the travel trailer,” the report states. ” First Responders cautioned on the importance of keeping generators away from camping areas.”
In a statement posted Monday on Facebook and Twitter, Faster Horses festival officials said they were “deeply saddened by the tragic losses this weekend.”
“We will continue to stay in close contact with the Lenawee County Sheriff and all other law enforcement agencies, and follow their lead regarding any and all information as it is officially confirmed,” the post said. “Our hearts are broken for the families, friends and loved ones.”
Meanwhile, the Michigan State Police have also been investigating a separate death. That investigation is into the death of 30-year-old Melissa Donna Havens, whose body was discovered early on Saturday morning on Faster Houses Festival grounds. Police have not yet announced the cause of Havens’ death.
