Body of 23-year-old drowning victim found in Lake Mohave

By Kyle B. Hansen

Published Saturday, June 5, 2010 | 2:53 p.m.

Updated Saturday, June 5, 2010 | 9:49 p.m.

Park rangers found the body of a 23-year-old man from El Salvador who apparently drowned Saturday afternoon in Lake Mohave.

National Park Service rangers and Nevada Department of Wildlife wardens began searching for the man after he was reported missing at 12:30 p.m., Lake Mead National Recreation Area spokesman Andrew Munoz said.

The man disappeared while swimming at Morning Star Cove, just southeast of the end of State Road 165, east of the town of Nelson.

Witnesses told authorities the man was swimming across the cove when he began to struggle and went under the water, the National Park Service said in a news release. Bystanders attempted to help but were unable get to him in time, officials said.

National Park Service rangers with the assistance of Metro Police divers recovered the man’s body at 6:32 p.m. on the Nevada side of Lake Mohave, about 40 feet from shore in 39 feet of water.

The name of the man, an El Salvadorian national living in Las Vegas, is being withheld pending the notification of his family.

The cause of the drowning is under investigation. Rangers do not suspect alcohol was involved, and the man wasn’t wearing a life jacket, the park service said.