Marlon Mendez dies in fatal drowning in Memphis, Tennessee
Fatal drowning in Memphis, Tennessee death of Marlon Mendez Mendez
A search that started with reports of three missing individuals has ended in a heartbreaking manner at a state park in Tennessee.
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office reported that three men were last seen Tuesday while enjoying leisure activities on the Mississippi River.
In Spanish, authorities stated that the remains of three Hispanic men were discovered Wednesday morning in the area near a boat access point. The victims have been identified as Marlon Mendez, who was 28, Rudy Perez, who was 31, and Jose Yanes, who was 52.
Several organizations worked together to locate and retrieve the bodies. These included the Shelby County Search and Rescue team and the U.S. Coast Guard.
Sheriff’s public information officer John Morris explained that two bodies were found around midday, with the third located shortly after. This day has been emotionally taxing for the families of the missing men. A large number of relatives gathered along the riverbank as searches continued.
Yanes’ relatives mentioned that he was fishing with companions in the river. They added that he has a family with six children, the youngest being 12 years old.
A local business owner, Doug Ammons, who runs a store nearby, expressed dismay over recurring safety issues. He described the river as extremely hazardous and urged people to avoid it.
The medical examiner is still investigating the exact reasons for death, but initial findings suggest it was due to the water-related circumstances.
