Body of 21-Year-Old Drowned at Bartlett Lake Recovered

A 21-year-old man, identified as Juan Ojeda-Valdez, drowned at Bartlett Lake’s SB Cove in Carefree, Arizona, on May 3 after losing his footing while walking with friends across the shoreline area. Despite being described as a capable swimmer, Ojeda-Valdez fell into about 15 feet of cold water and was not wearing a life jacket, contributing to his drowning. Rescue attempts by friends were unsuccessful, and he remained underwater for approximately 15 minutes before a search operation was initiated. Another individual nearby also struggled in the water but managed to reach safety. The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office recovered Ojeda-Valdez's body the following day and stated that no foul play is suspected. Authorities have emphasized that the combination of unexpected water depth and cold temperatures likely played a significant role in the tragedy.