Lake Superior drowning victims were car enthusiasts, recent graduates from Inver Grove Heights school

Maraya King, Pioneer Press
·2 min read

Two recent graduates of Simley High School died on Sunday after jumping off of cliffs into Lake Superior.

Austin Henning, of South St. Paul, and Maximillian Williams, of Inver Grove Heights, were on a couples day trip to Lake Superior on Sunday when the tragedy occurred, said Henning’s mother, Beth Ann Henning.

Henning was dating Williams’ twin sister, Beth Ann Henning said, who had advised against the cliff jumping.

“There’s nothing stopping my boy once he gets his head on it,” she said.

At the time of the drownings, wind speeds were up to 23 mph and waves were three to four feet tall, the Duluth News Tribune reported.

Henning and Williams, both 18, graduated from the Inver Grove Heights school this spring, Henning’s mother said. The two had become close friends while working at Discount Tire and bonded over their shared love of cars.

Their friend group was comprised of “car fanatics,” she said, adding that they call themselves the “Simley Car Crew.”

Keen on giving back

Max Williams’ parents, Sheri and Steven Williams, said their son was strong, humorous, outgoing and above all, sincere.

After graduating high school, the Williams’ said their son was looking into entering the medical field as a potential radiologist. “He is very keen on giving back, he felt he could make a difference,” Steven Williams said.

Max was always an ambitious person, his parents said. “He used to build stuff with blocks before he could speak and would always show me what he built,” Sheri Williams said.

That ambition followed him into adulthood, where he was known as a hard worker and eager to learn, Steven Williams said.

Future auto technician

Beth Ann Henning described her son as multi-faceted. “He was very hands-on with learning,” she said. “Cannot say he was an extrovert, he has a tough shell to crack, but he is a ride-or-die friend.”

After high school, Austin Henning planned to attend Universal Technical Institute in Lisle, Ill., to become an automotive technician. He was particularly interested in European cars, his mother said, and planned to become BMW-certified.

“He’s smart,” she said of her son. “He doesn’t like to show it, but he’s smart.”

Austin Henning got his passion for cars from his older brother, Beth Ann Henning said. The brothers had two favorite topics to discuss: cars and music. “My older son adored his younger brother,” she said.

Arrangements pending

Arrangements have yet to be made to celebrate the lives of Austin Henning and Max Williams.

Beth Ann Henning said in the future she is interested in gathering donations for a cause pertaining to her son’s love of cars.

“He had a very bright and exciting future ahead,” she said.

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