Tragedy struck at Jordan Lake in Chatham County as the search for a missing fisherman ended earlier today with the discovery of his body. The Chatham County Sheriff's Office confirmed to ABC11 that 21-year-old Nestor Margarito Ramirez Menjivar had been swept away by harsh currents near the B. Everett Jordan Dam while fishing the previous evening.
Menjivar reportedly lost his balance and fell into the water around 6 p.m. yesterday. Witnesses quickly alerted authorities that Menjivar was taken downstream by the current, prompting an immediate but ultimately unsuccessful search that evening. In a statement obtained by CBS17, deputies reported having to postponing the search due to powerful storms later that night.
Emergency operations resumed earlier today, with recovery personnel managing to locate the body with the aid of a drone, as detailed by WRAL. His body was recovered from the water just before 8:00 a.m., bringing a sorrowful end to the search. Menjivar's family was promptly notified of the devastating news.
"This is a difficult and emotional situation and our thoughts are with the family as the search continues," previously stated Chatham County Sheriff Mike Roberson, as reported by CBS17. After the recovery, Roberson added, "This is a heartbreaking outcome, and our deepest sympathies are with the Menjivar family. We are grateful to the emergency responders and partner agencies who worked very hard to bring him home."
