Destiny Morgan and her children planned a fun vacation at Crown Reef Beach Resort and Waterpark in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in 2021. However, their trip quickly turned into a nightmare when Destiny’s youngest child, 4-year-old Demi Williams, drowned in one of the resort’s pools without a lifeguard present. Despite efforts from guests to resuscitate Demi, they were unable to find a defibrillator, as state law does not require them to be placed in swimming areas.
Tragically, Demi was at least the third child to have drowned at the resort between 2018 and 2021. Destiny is now seeking change at the resort to improve safety protocols and prevent future tragedies. A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against Crown Reef Beach Resort, accusing them of negligence in providing unsafe conditions without lifeguards or adequate staff members. Despite attempts to contact the resort, they have not responded to the allegations.
Destiny described Demi as a sweet and cheerful child who loved to make others happy. The family’s vacation began well, with Demi enjoying the lazy river ride at the resort. However, tragedy struck when Demi went missing after riding the lazy river in a tube behind her sister. She was later found unresponsive in a pool on the resort grounds, and despite efforts to resuscitate her, she passed away at the hospital that night.
Crown Reef is not mandated by state law to have lifeguards at its pools or lazy river, only requiring lifeguards at waterslides. The lack of lifeguards, as well as the absence of AEDs near swimming areas, has raised concerns about safety at the resort. Following the tragic incident, Destiny and her attorneys are advocating for improved safety measures, including more lifeguards, better lighting, and increased staffing, to prevent similar accidents in the future.
Despite the lack of security cameras on the resort grounds, Destiny’s legal team is determined to seek justice for Demi and push for significant safety improvements at Crown Reef Beach Resort. Similar tragic incidents at the resort, including the death of another child in 2018, highlight the need for stronger safety protocols to prevent avoidable drownings. The legal action taken against the resort aims to hold them accountable for the tragic loss of Demi and prevent future accidents from occurring.
The devastating loss of Demi has had a profound impact on Destiny and her family, who continue to grapple with the trauma of the tragedy. In addition to coping with the loss of her daughter, Destiny also faced legal challenges, including being arrested on charges of unlawful neglect of a child following Demi’s death. Despite the charges being dropped, the emotional toll of the loss and legal proceedings have forever altered the lives of Destiny and her family. The pursuit of justice for Demi and advocacy for improved safety measures at the resort are crucial steps in ensuring that such tragedies are prevented in the future.
