The Brief Nicole Grayson drowned after rescuing her 4-year-old son from the St. Johns River. The family remembers the mother of six as a hero who gave her life to save her son. A DeLand mother died after rescuing her 4-year-old son from the St. Johns River, and a witness who tried to save her said she used all of her strength to keep the child above water before collapsing. Investigators said 43-year-old Nicole Grayson was at Ed Stone Park on Saturday when her 4-year-old son dropped an item into the river. 'She was a hero'What they're saying:Family members said the boy slipped into the water while trying to retrieve the item.