Flagstaff, AZ – On Sunday, September 29th, at 3:30 pm, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a call from the Campground host at Ashurst Lake. The host advised a camper had located a paddleboard that had washed up on shore without a rider.
After Deputies arrived, they conducted a search of the shoreline, not finding any clues as to the circumstances behind the paddleboard. Deputies then began contacting other campers and recreators around the lake. Deputies were able to locate an unoccupied vehicle that was set up to haul a Paddleboard that was registered to a Flagstaff resident. At the same time, deputies were on their way to the residence to check the welfare of the owner, a female called reporting her husband missing / overdue. It was found that she wished to report this same subject as missing.
Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue teams responded to the Ashurst Lake area to search areas around the lake, as well as the water. They searched throughout the evening on Sunday and were unable to locate the subject.
On Monday the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Dive Team was requested to assist in locating the man. A Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Human Remains Detection Dog had narrowed down the search area to a particular section of the lake. The MCSO Dive team used an Underwater Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) to find the subject deceased in the lake at approximately 4:20 pm, a short time after deploying the ROV.
The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office would like to stress the importance of boating and water safety. Initial investigations into this tragedy indicate this may have been a factor. Please use a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) whenever recreating on water.
The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance.