Crime & Safety

Man Who Died in Lake Tapps Identified as Marcus "Fly" Henderson

Marcus Henderson was 20 years old and visiting Lake Tapps from Minnesota. To his fans, he's hip hop artist 'Fly Henderson.'

The man has been identified as 20 year-old Marcus Henderson, according to the Pierce County Medical Examiner.

KIRO TV reports that Henderson was swimming in the lake in the late afternoon of July 21 with his girlfriend when he slipped under the water. Witnesses say she tried to save him but she slipped under herself. Another swimmer was able to pull her to shore but unable to save Henderson.

East Pierce rescue crews searched the lake for hours and, as it got late, used sonar detection to find him. He was recovered from the lake just before midnight on July 22.

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Henderson was talented, chasing his dreams and going to do something with his life, said Patch user Amanda, who commented on our first story. In the Midwest, he's known as Fly Henderson, a rising hip hop star with a popular YouTube channel and Facebook page.

Since his death, friends and fans have been posting tributes on his Facebook wall.

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"β€ŽI want history, the world must remember me, physically and mentally, dont wanna pass away and my name's still a mystery." - Fly Henderson

We love you fly !!!! Your music will always live on .

R.I.P Bro, your music will be forever. Doesnt seem real

R.I.P. Fly :( i hope you are safe in heaven with God β™₯ You will be forever loved and missed

On his website, Henderson said he drew his musical inspiration from a difficult childhood -- his father was incarcerated and he moved several times as a young child. After his father was released from prision, Henderson spent as much time with him as possible, but he passed away on Henderson's 10th birthday.

He said "everything went downhill from there," and he started to get into trouble. But, he soon realized that, even though times are hard, "life goes on and so will he."

On his website, he details his philosophy as "PH8 – Fate", which is "the development of events beyond a person’s control, regarded as determined by a supernatural power." The key elements are loyalty, love, respect, knowledge and understanding.

"I (Fly Henderson) am the founder of this belief and I believe if more people follow my journey to the top through hard work and positivity with music they too can be inspired to do great things with what ever it is they do."


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