NMSP News:SANDOVAL COUNTY — Today, the body of Ariel Gonzalez-Vasquez, 34, of Albuquerque was recovered from Cochiti Lake.
Gonzalez-Vasquez was reported to have been in the water swimming when large waves and wind made the swimming difficult and he sank and never resurfaced.
The New Mexico State Police were asked to assist with a possible drowning victim Saturday at Cochiti Lake, just south of Santa Fe. At approximately 6:30 p.m., July 1, the Sandoval County Sheriff’s Department requested the assistance of the NMSP Dive Team to locate the victim within the lake. Once officers arrived on scene and met with all agencies involved it was determined that the New Mexico State Police would take over the operation.
The New Mexico State Police Dive Team has been on the water throughout this event utilizing sonar equipped boats to help determine the location of the drowned victim.
The body of Mr. Gonzalez-Vasquez was transported to the Office of the Medical Investigator where an autopsy will be conducted.
