MARICOPA COUNTY, Ariz. — A man who went underwater and never resurfaced at Bartlett Lake near Bartlett Flats on Sunday was found dead Monday morning, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.
MCSO told 12News that deputies were called to Bartlett Flats at about 6:30 p.m. on Sunday due to reports of a man who went underwater but never resurfaced.
The victim was identified as 42-year-old Jose Manuel Lopez Portillo on Tuesday. Witnesses told police that they saw Portillo swimming out from shore to retrieve a floating pool noodle when he went under.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Encuentran a un hombre muerto luego de haber desaparecido en las aguas del Lago Bartlett
Portillo's body was recovered shortly after 1 a.m. on Monday. His death marks the fourth drowning in a river or lake this year, according to MCSO. No foul play is suspected in his death.
Bartlett Flats is located on the northwest side of Bartlett Lake.
This is the same area where 46-year-old Richard Myers was found dead on May 19 after deputies said he fell off a rock, hit his head and fell into the water.
This is a developing story and more details will be added as they are made available.
Drowning Prevention Tips:
Drowning is the leading cause of death for children between ages 1-4 aside from birth defects, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Three children die every day as a result of drowning. Here are some tips from the CDC on how to protect children around water:
Learn life-saving skills.
Everyone should know the basics of swimming (floating, moving through the water) and CPR.
Fence it off.
Install a four–sided isolation fence, with self–closing and self–latching gates, around backyard swimming pools. This can help keep children away from the area when they aren’t supposed to be swimming. Pool fences should be completely separate the house and play area from the pool.
Life jackets are a must in open water.
Make sure kids wear life jackets in and around natural bodies of water, such as lakes or the ocean, even if they know how to swim. Life jackets can be used in and around pools for weaker swimmers too.
Keep a close watch
When kids are in or near water (including bathtubs), closely supervise them at all times. Because drowning happens quickly and quietly, adults watching kids in or near water should avoid distracting activities like reading books, talking on the phone, or using alcohol and drugs.
>> Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.
Watch 12News+ for free
You can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere thanks to the 12News+ app!
The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.
Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives.
Roku: Add the channel from the Roku store or by searching for "12 News KPNX."
Amazon Fire TV: Search for "12 News KPNX" to find the free 12News+ app to add to your account, or have the 12News+ app delivered directly to your Amazon Fire TV through Amazon.com or the Amazon app.
Up to Speed
Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.