2nd death reported at Salt River during Memorial Day weekend
Two drownings reported at Salt River over holiday weekend
A 23-year-old man is the second reported drowning in the Salt River over Memorial Day weekend, following the death of a 22-year-old recent ASU grad.
MESA, Ariz. - The body of a man who was last seen swimming at the Salt River has been recovered, marking the second deadly incident at the river over Memorial Day weekend.
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:
It was a deadly Memorial Day weekend at the Salt River. On May 24, the body of 22-year-old Sahr Sewah was recovered a day after he was reported missing.
Sewah reportedly drowned in the river while tubing with friends. He 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.
You can also donate to a GoFundMe account for Sewah 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.