x
Breaking News
More () »

Body of 6-year-old swept away in Tonto Creek on Black Friday found at Roosevelt Lake

The sheriff's office confirmed the body found this afternoon is 6-year-old Willa Rawlings.

TONTO BASIN, Ariz. — Searchers found a child's body on the north side of Roosevelt Lake on Friday afternoon. The Gila County Sheriff's Office confirmed the child is missing 6-year-old Willa Rawlings.

Willa went missing after the vehicle she and her family were in was swept away in floodwaters in Tonto Basin after a rainstorm on Nov. 29.

Credit: 12 News
Willa Rawlings

The family was trying to cross the overflowing Tonto Creek in a military-type vehicle. There is no bridge in the area. 

Willa's brother Colby and cousin Austin, both 5, were found dead the next day.

Credit: 12 News
Colby Rawlings (left) and Austin Rawlings (right)

Crews have continued to search for Willa since the flooding. Some people had to be pulled off the search last Saturday after the body of a man who tried to cross Tonto Creek about 20 miles north of Bar X Crossing was found.

Austin was laid to rest last week, and the family held a funeral service for Willa and Colby on Friday. 

The sheriff's office said Willa's next-of-kin has been notified.

Gila County Sheriff's Office, Globe, Arizona. 9,182 likes · 1,337 talking about this · 9 were here. The Gila County Sheriff's Office serves the Criminal justice needs of Gila County in the areas of...

MORE STORIES:

Family and friends hold funeral for siblings swept away in Tonto Creek

Search for 6-year-old girl swept away in Tonto Basin creek stretches into second week

 Tonto Basin residents asked for a bridge years before fatal flooding

Before You Leave, Check This Out