Three Bodies Recovered from the Mississippi River

The remains of three men were found in the Mississippi River near Memphis, Tennessee, after they had gone missing on Wednesday while fishing and swimming in a sandbar area.

The victims, whose ages ranged from their 20s to 50s, were reported missing Tuesday evening close to a boat ramp at Meeman Shelby Forest State Park, which is about 13 miles from Memphis, according to officials.

Search and rescue teams from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, along with deputies from the Memphis area, began looking for the men on Tuesday evening but had to pause the effort as darkness fell.

Efforts resumed Wednesday morning, utilizing aircraft, drones, and sonar technology to aid in the search.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office reported that the first two bodies were recovered around 11 a.m. and the third was found at approximately 12:45 p.m. The exact cause of death is still to be determined by the medical examiner.

Authorities identified the victims as Marlon Mendes, 28, Rudy Perez, 31, and Jose Janez, 52. They were all noted to be Hispanic.

Witnesses indicated the men were enjoying fishing and swimming when the tragic incident occurred. It’s important to note that sandbars, such as the one in this area, can be quite unstable. They form when the river slows down, but they can be deceptive, collapsing under weight or changing currents.

Experts have cautioned that while the river’s popularity is growing, it holds many hidden dangers, including strong currents and submerged debris.

Doug Ammons, who runs a general store nearby, mentioned that the river can be “fatally dangerous.” He expressed his sorrow over the event, acknowledging it’s a tragedy that occurs too frequently. Ammons added how essential it is for swimmers to have flotation devices, suggesting that the strong currents can quickly become overwhelming.