17-Year-Old Musician Dies While Cliff Jumping: ‘One of the Brightest Kids We Knew’

Evan Marsch died July 12 after cliff jumping in Bellevue Quarry, near Nashville

NEED TO KNOW The quarry where Marsch died has been considered a drowning hazard for years and is often unattended A GoFundMe started by a family friend for Marsch, who is being remembered for his passion for guitar and his compassion for others, has raised nearly $19,000 to help with funeral expenses A 17-year-old boy died after cliff jumping into a quarry in Tennessee. Evan Marsch died after cliff jumping at Bellevue Quarry, near Nashville, on July 12, local outlet WSMV reported, citing Nashville Metro Police. Marsch was jumping with three other teens, all of whom survived, according to the outlet.

Marsch, a young musician from Spring Hill, Tenn., was described as a "beautiful and talented son who was always sweet, caring," according to his obituary. "He had a passion for music, especially the guitar and was always writing his own music," the obituary reads. "Evan always followed his own path and knew where he wanted to go in life and was one of the brightest kids we knew."

He is survived by his parents, older siblings, sister-in-law, several grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, his 4-year-old nephew, and girlfriend. A service for Evan will be held on Sunday, July 19, at 4:00 p.m. at Williams Funeral Home in Columbia, Tenn., according to the obituary. The father of a friend of Marsch started a GoFundMe to support the family with funeral expenses amid his death.

"Evan was known for his love of music and his deep compassion for others," the GoFundMe description read. "When a friend's parent was going through cancer treatment, Evan shaved his head in solidarity, showing just how much he cared for those around him." The GoFundMe added that Marsch's "kindness touched so many lives, and his absence is felt deeply by everyone who knew him."

As of publication, the fundraiser has raised nearly $19,000 of its $22,000 goal. District 35 Metro Councilmember Jason Spain is reportedly cooperating with investigators and the property owners of the quarry in which Marsch died. "I've been in contact with them to make sure they're taking every possible precaution to make sure it's secure," Spain said, according to WSMV.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Spain, who grew up in the area, explained more about the quarry's previous uses in a statement to local news station WKRN. Spain worked to rezone the area for private development in 2024.

"Kids have been going back there for years to swim in the quarry and jump off those cliffs back there," Spain told the outlet. "But most of the time it's unattended, and there's a locked gate over the main entrance, but there are various other points of entry." An instructor has been offering scuba courses in the waters of the quarry, Spain said.

For nearly a decade, the quarry has been considered a drowning hazard by local government officials, according to WKRN, which cited a 2017 decision from the Metro Nashville Health Department. PEOPLE has reached out to Spain and the Metro Nashville Police Department for comment. Read the original article on People