The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the drowning deaths of two men in Lake Pleasant.
According to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, on March 5, 2023 at approximately 7:45 p.m., witnesses called 911 after hearing distressed swimmers in the water near the Roadrunner Campsite at Lake Pleasant. Witnesses could not see the distressed swimmers but heard yelling and calls for help coming from the water.
Maricopa County Sheriff’s deputies and Peoria Fire Department personnel responded to the area of the call and located an inflatable capsized kayak with no occupants in sight. An extensive search of the area and corresponding shoreline was conducted, and two different shoes were found floating in the water. Deputies could not locate the missing kayakers after utilizing air, water, and land resources.
The search was suspended until the morning, as Lake Patrol detectives gathered more information.
On March 6, 2023, upon resuming the search in the morning, detectives interviewed more witnesses and based on their statements it was presumed there were possibly two people who may have drowned.
Detectives were able to narrow the search area based on physical evidence and witness statements. An extensive search was conducted by Lake Pleasant Detectives utilizing the ROV Unit (Remote Operated Vehicle).
On Monday night March 6th, the body of one of the missing kayakers was located 55 feet underwater near Roadrunner Island. He was identified as 28-year-old Christopher Govoni. A short time later, the body of the second kayaker was located 100 feet away from Christopher, also 55 feet underwater. He was identified as 24-year-old Rogelio Ortiz.
Neither kayaker was wearing a life vest, and no life vests were located near the search areas.
Detectives inspected the 10-foot inflatable kayak and found no damage, and it is unknown what caused the kayak to capsize. Due to the location that Christopher and Rogelio were found, it is believed they tried swimming to shore after they capsized and were approximately 600 feet away from shore when they went under.