Body of missing swimmer recovered at Salt River
MESA, Ariz. - The body of a man who was last seen swimming at the Salt River on Memorial Day has been recovered.
What we know:
On May 25, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office says deputies responded to reports of a man struggling in the water a half-mile downstream from Stewart Mountain Dam just after 10:30 a.m.
"Witnesses stated that the victim was swimming across the river when he began struggling at the middle point of the river," MCSO said.
Deputies searched the area and recovered the body of 23-year-old Jason Blake Jr.
Dig deeper:
This was the second death reported at the Salt River over Memorial Day weekend. On May 24, the body of 22-year-old Sahr Sewah was recovered a day after he was reported missing.
According to a GoFundMe page, Sewah drowned in the river while tubing with friends. He reportedly graduated from Arizona State University earlier this month.
Body of recent ASU grad pulled from Salt River
The body of a 22-year-old was recovered from the Salt River on Sunday, roughly a day after Maricopa County deputies responded to a missing person report.
What you can do:
A GoFundMe has been established to raise money for Blake Jr's funeral expenses. You can donate by clicking here.
Map of Stewart Mountain Dam:
The Source: Information for this story was gathered from a statement by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office and a FOX 10 report on May 25, 2026.