Nathaniel Gutierrez

Hello everyone! My name is Stacy Zottman and I'm a close family friend. I've been blessed to know this special young man since he was born and love him as if he were my nephew. And Gretchen Chronis has had the joy of knowing Nathaniel for many years and has loved him and watched him go from a quiet small boy to a successful young man. It pains us to write this........but let’s all bring Nathaniel home safe, healthy and financially worry free!


On July 20, 2020, the unthinkable happened. Nathaniel Gutierrez drowned while swimming with a friend. Today he is in intensive care fighting for his life. His friend was able to pull him out of the water and desperately tried to resuscitate  him. He quickly got Nathaniel’s parents and Dan Massey turned him on his side and the water came rushing out. However, they we unsuccessful at getting him to breath. The ambulance arrived and the medical aides were finally able to get him to breath again (Although inconsistent and very labored). On arriving at the Sunnyside hospital, it was decided that he needed to be immediately air lifted to Seattle hospital for specialized treatment.

As of today, he is still on life support systems and the doctors are mostly concerned about kidney failure due to the trauma and shock of drowning. There are so many “unknowns” at this point, but Nathaniel is fighting like a pro!

Nathaniel is from the small town of Grandview, Washington. He is an incredible swimmer and a strong young man. In fact, he was a decorated super star on the swim team growing up.

He has 3 brothers that are his very best friends in life, and an older sister  that he loves deeply and looks up to. Laura Massey, his mom, and Dan Massey, his stepdad, are the type of parents you would wish for and you would always find them at every game, meet and school event.


Nathaniel, along with his brothers, have had a very active sports career in Grandview. Everyone knows, respects, and love the Gutierrez boys! He was admired and awarded by his teachers at Grandview High School and graduated in 2019 with top honors. He then immediately decided to conquer the world and moved to Portland, Oregon to attend PSU in pursuit of a medical career. He is a very strong willed and self-motivated young man that has set goals throughout his life and has always striven to grow and achieve above and beyond his own expectations.




But now, his whole world has become uncertain. He’s begun fighting a new battle. One that he never practiced, studied or trained for. A battle that despite all his families love and support, he can’t control the outcome with pure grit and determination. He need’s our help!

He needs continued prayer for the days ahead. Again....he is still fighting an uphill battle and there are no rule books for him to follow. 

His family and friends have received many many messages asking how they can best help. The first and most important thing is PRAYER. The prayers lifted up for Nathaniel around the globe has brought the family to their knees with gratitude. Both he and Laura are humbled by the outpouring of love and support to he and his family.


Laura has spent every possible moment in his hospital room and because of COVID-19, she is the only one allowed in his room. So, she sits…. alone…. with a mother’s fear, anger, hope, confusion, worry and despair. It’s a roller coaster of emotions for this loving mother. No matter how grown up and independent your son has become; he’s still your baby boy. Laura is finding some comfort in the love, support and prayers of so MANY people. ❤️ Her and Nathaniel have definitely felt the prayers like a blanket of peace that have continued non-stop since late Sunday night. They are beyond thankful!

Though he’s in the early stages of the fight to regain his health, the cold-hard truth is; the family’s battle is just beginning. The financial impact of a tragic event like this is unbelievable! Between the air lift from Grandview to Seattle and the many days he will be in the ICU, the financial impact will be nothing short of devastating.

As Laura sits and holds Nathaniel’s hand for 12 hours a day.... We don’t want her mind to drift and worry about the financial implications of this tragedy.

Those who know Laura and Dan, know that they would never ask for money to help them out, and Nathaniel is unable to work for a unforeseen amount of time. And yet we all know that they would be the first ones there to help if any of us needed a hand!!

Can we please pull together as a community and come along side this amazing family? We are only asking that you donate whatever you can, and only if you can. We understand this is a very hard season for everyone and we don’t want to add any hardships. 

Please, please, please share this with everyone! Through all social media outlets. I know that we can help them overcome this devastating experience one prayer and $5-$100 at a time. Let’s all help bring Nathaniel back to a full recovery physically as well as financially.

Lord knows they deserve it! ❤️



(below is the link to the original FB post made by Laura).

https://www.facebook.com/1496124944/posts/10223764727534932/