Child found in storm pond in Legacy; family and community respond
The family of Drihanna Matamona, a seven‑year‑old who drowned Sunday in a storm pond in the Legacy area of southeast Calgary, is mourning the loss of a child relatives describe as bright and affectionate. Drihanna’s godmother, Ninon Ignoumba, said the family is struggling to come to terms with the sudden death.
Relatives told reporters Drihanna was autistic and non‑verbal but that her personality was clear in the way she connected with others. Her aunt, Gloria Massengo, said the girl loved to write, draw and play with her siblings and would often reach out to hold hands with people she wanted to befriend.
“When Drihanna was here, you would notice her presence... There are no words to express what we are feeling now, it’s just a tough moment,”
The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon when Drihanna left her home and went to a nearby storm pond. Her father was briefly in the garage and, on realising she was missing, found her in the water. Emergency responders were not able to revive her. Drihanna’s mother was working when she received the call.
Family needs and community support
A GoFundMe campaign has been established to assist the family with funeral expenses, household bills and other immediate needs. A memorial at the pond has grown as neighbours and community members leave tributes.
- Child: Drihanna Matamona, age 7
- Location: storm pond, Legacy neighbourhood, southeast Calgary
- Community response: memorial at the pond; fundraising page established
Family members described the depth of the grief. Ignoumba said both parents are having difficulty eating and that the family is relying on emotional support from relatives and the wider community as they cope.
Context and considerations for residents
Storm ponds are common features in newer Calgary neighbourhoods, designed for stormwater management. Incidents involving children and open water periodically prompt calls for increased awareness of local risks, supervision near water and community education about pond safety. Relatives, neighbours and those who visit neighbourhood ponds are often left to balance the pond’s functional role with its potential hazards.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Victim | Drihanna Matamona, 7 |
| Incident | Drowning in storm pond |
| Location | Legacy, southeast Calgary |
| Community actions | Memorial at pond; GoFundMe for family |
The family and community have asked for privacy as they grieve. Local residents concerned about pond safety may wish to review municipal resources on water safety and supervise children closely around any bodies of water.
InfoRadar will update this report if further official details about the incident or responses from municipal authorities become available.
