WSU student dies during trip to Oregon’s Blue Pool

A Wichita State University student died last week at a popular tourist destination in a national forest in Oregon.

According to a news release from the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Kenny Truong, 21, died Friday after he jumped into a body of water at Tamolitch Falls, which is in the Willamette National Forest, about 50 miles east of Eugene, Oregon.

The body of water, knowns the “Blue Pool,” is a popular destination for hikers and other visitors to the area.

Linn County officials said a 911 call went out just before 9 p.m. on Friday for a man who had jumped into the water and wasn’t able to get out.

Truong, according to the news release, was visiting the area with friends.

Lainie Mazzullo-Hart, a Wichita State spokeswoman, confirmed in an email that Truong was a student at the school. He was a finance major and a Wichita native, according to the school’s website.

Eddie Castaneda, owner of the RISK Barbell powerlifting gym in west Wichita, said Truong was a well-liked member of the gym.

“Kenny was always around people and always lively,” Castaneda said. “He was charismatic. It feels unreal right now because he was so young and strong and motivated. He was full of life.”

Castaneda said Truong joined the gym in 2022, a few months after it opened.

A GoFundMe organized by Carter Nguyen had raised over $21,000 for Truong’s family as of early Tuesday afternoon.

This story was originally published June 30, 2026 at 12:42 PM.