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A Passing Boater’s Photograph May Be ‘the Last Picture’ of 5 People Who Drowned in Ohio River
Authorities tentatively identified two victims as a married couple, while three others remain unnamed after the July 19 river drowning.
On Sunday, July 19, five adults drowned in the Scioto River in Delaware County, Ohio. Two women's bodies were recovered that day; three additional bodies were found the following day.
Delaware County Sheriff Jeffrey Balzer stated investigators believe one adult began struggling to swim, prompting the others to jump in to help. All five were pulled beneath the surface and drowned.
Pastor Marcus L. Martin captured a photo of five adults wading in the river shortly before the tragedy. "I believe the picture I took may have been the last picture of them being alive," Martin said.
Two children, ages 8 and 10, were orphaned by the tragedy and placed in the care of Delaware County Job and Family Services. A passing driver reported the incident after spotting a distraught child on State Route 257.
Honduran officials confirmed Tuesday that four of the five victims were Honduran citizens, including Jose Mario Pineda Dias, 33, and his wife Marina Suyapa Regalado, 28. Authorities expect repatriation efforts to take six weeks.