North Las Vegas man presumed drowned at Lake Mead
Lake Mead, AZ (KTNV) -- The body of a North Las Vegas man was recovered Sunday after, officials believe, he drowned while fishing on the Arizona side of Lake Mead.
The Mohave County Coroner's Office identified the man as 49-year-old Roderick Rayford.
Park officials said they received a call at around 3:15 a.m. reporting that a person had gone missing while attempting to recover his fishing lure in the Temple Bar area of Lake Mead.
Witnesses reported that the man had been fishing from the shore when his lure became snagged on some vegetation. After being unable to free the lure, Rayford went into the water in an attempt to free it.
Soon after, cries for help and splashing were heard, followed by silence.
Rangers began an immediate search for the fisherman but were only able to identify the point he was last seen before having to postpone the search until daylight.
The search resumed after dawn with the assistance from employees of the authorized concession at Temple Bar.
Rangers eventually located and recovered a body in six feet of water near the shoreline.
Officials say Rayford was not wearing a personal flotation device.
Park Rangers are continuing their investigation in order to determine the cause of the presumed drowning.
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