Early Friday near downtown San Antonio, a routine morning along San Pedro Creek turned into an active death investigation after bystanders spotted a man in the water and called for help. Witnesses and officers said the body was recovered from shallow water near the creek's edge, and the man was later pronounced dead.
According to KENS 5, San Antonio police were called around 8 a.m. after people saw someone in the creek. Fire crews pulled the man from the water; he was found face down near the edge and is believed to have been in his 30s or 40s, police told the station. Officers said the man appeared clean-cut, and there was no immediate indication that he was experiencing homelessness. Authorities said the death may have been an accidental drowning.
Investigation under way
The Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office and the San Antonio Police Department's homicide unit have taken over the case and will determine the exact cause and manner of death, according to the Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office. The office conducts scene investigations, autopsies and toxicology testing as part of that work. Officials say the inquiry remains active while forensic testing is completed.
Where it happened
The stretch of San Pedro Creek where the body was recovered runs beside greenway paths popular with runners and walkers and includes segments of the San Pedro Creek Culture Park. The San Antonio River Authority describes the Culture Park as a restored urban creek with trails, public art and downtown connections, which helps explain why passersby and early-morning joggers noticed the scene quickly and contacted authorities after spotting someone in the water.
Flood risk and recent history
San Antonio has seen deadly flash flooding in recent years; a June 2025 storm swept vehicles into creeks and killed more than a dozen people, underscoring how quickly high water can turn lethal, local coverage documented. City and county officials have repeatedly urged residents to stay away from waterways and low-lying areas during and after heavy rain.
Anyone with information, footage or tips is asked to contact the San Antonio Police Department tip line or Crime Stoppers; the City of San Antonio lists contact numbers and reporting options on its website. Police have asked the public to avoid the creek in the area while investigators and medical examiners continue their work at the scene.
