Ethiopian exchange student in Kentucky found dead

SOMERSET, KENTUCKY (AP) — An 18-year-old exchange student from Ethiopia who had been attending school in south-central Kentucky has been found dead in a swimming pool.

Pulaski County Coroner Richard New says the cause of death for Fasika Hayelom Sibehatu will be confirmed in an autopsy Wednesday.

Richard New told the Lexington Herald-Leader that it’s possible Sibehatu hit his head diving into the pool, which was at his host home in Somerset. New says the pool is deep under the diving board but became shallow quickly.

Sibehatu was found dead early Tuesday. The pool was opened on Saturday, and New said Sibehatu hadn’t been in it until the incident in which he died. The homeowner says Sibehatu had said he could swim.

Sibehatu was from Adama, Ethiopia, and had been studying at Somerset Christian School since August.