[mpoulton]

http://www.desertsun.com/story/news.../28/palm-springs-pool-electrocution/82360592/

Hard to say exactly what happened at this point, but it sounds like it may have been related to the light. Proper GFCI, grounding, and equipotential bonding would have prevented it.

 

[Luke M]

So would using a low voltage light probably. 12v is safer than 120v.

 

[herdfan]

My pool has lights, but we don't EVER use them. I don't know how or who put them in, so I don't trust them.

 

[woodchopper65]

low voltage is the way togo, but all pools must be grounded whether there is electric going to them or not..

 

[Oso954]

I think it's a lot of speculation about the light being the cause.

While that might be the cause, I question who would turn on the pool lights before 4pm in Palm Springs. Sunset would have been shortly after 7 pm.

If the home has been in the family for decades, there are a lot of things that could have caused this, particularly if minimal maintenance of the pool equipment has been done.