Friends remember Winchester woman who drown in Lexington reservoir

WINCHESTER, Ky. (WTVQ)- Loved ones are in mourning today, after a young Winchester woman drowned in one of Lexington’s reservoirs yesterday.

Close friends of 27-year-old Scharliegh Rogers, who died after drowning in Lexington’s Reservoir One around 7 o’clock last night, say they will be meeting at Harmon Park in a few hours to release balloons in her honor.

I spoke with one friend earlier today who tells me she still can’t believe Rogers is really gone.

Britnee Lane says she’s known Sharliegh Rogers since they played basketball together in high school.

“If she could help she would help anybody in a time of need and she was just always a person that you could rely on a laugh from,” said Lane.

So when Lane learned Rogers died after accidentally drowning in a reservoir Wednesday, she was devastated.

“I just can’t believe that you know it was her. That it happened to her. Her sisters and you know her family, friends, everybody’s just trying to you know grasp the whole concept because it was just a sudden shock. Like no one expected it especially with her being so young,” said Lane.

Lexington Fire and Rescue pulled Rogers body from Lexington’s Reservoir One around 7 o’clock Wednesday night after a bystander noticed her struggling in the water and jump in to help.

“I was yelling for her to kick and paddle and stuff but she was really struggling at that time and by the time I maybe halfway there, you know she had been under for a while and I knew that I probably couldn’t get over there,” said Brandon Ray, a witness.

Even though Rogers ultimately didn’t make it, Lane says she’s still grateful someone tried to save her.

“It just lets you know that there are still good people in the world. Even though they didn’t know her, they were still trying to give a helping hand for her and I know that her family’s grateful for that. I’m grateful for that as well and just thank you,” said Lane.

Lane says she organized a balloon release as a way to both remember Rogers and bring the community together.

“Because life is short. You never know. You’re here today, gone tomorrow. So I just also hope that this would just bring the community together just all to unite and spread more love around and less hate you know what I’m saying. Just to focus on the positive things and the positive life that Sharliegh lived and just remember her for those things,” said Lane.

That balloon release is scheduled to be held here in about an hour at seven p.m.

The family has also created a GoFundMe account to raise money for her funeral arraignments.

The Link is: https://www.gofundme.com/in-memory-of-scharliegh-rogers