74-Year-Old Man Found Dead 6 Miles from Where He Was Last Seen After Being Swept Away by Floodwaters

Authorities announced they have located the body of a 74-year-old man who was swept away by floodwaters in Arizona earlier this week.

David Otero was found dead along Big Bug Creek near its intersection with the Agua Fria River on the afternoon of Thursday, Nov. 20, according to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office. His body was located about six miles from where he was last seen.

“Mr. Otero went missing on Tuesday afternoon after driving into rapidly moving flood waters on Big Bug Creek in the Cordes Lakes area,” the sheriff’s office said. “Despite nearly two days of continuous searching across challenging terrain, SAR teams maintained their efforts with professionalism and unwavering commitment.”

“The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office extends its deepest condolences to the Otero family during this difficult time,” authorities added. “We also express our sincere gratitude to the dedicated SAR volunteers and partner agencies, including Central Arizona Fire and Medical, Mayer Fire, and AZDPS, who helped and provided resources to help bring closure to the family.”

In a previous news release, the sheriff’s office said that around 3 p.m. on Tuesday, residents near the East Fremont Drive and Thunderbird Trail crossing called 911 to report of a vehicle “being swept away in raging floodwaters.”

Deputies responded to the scene and found “a small sedan being carried away with two adult males on or near the trunk.”

As the vehicle began to turn over, a deputy managed to pull one of the men to safety. The rescued man told authorities that he had “attempted to assist the driver after the vehicle drove into the flowing waters and was being swept away.”

The driver, later identified as Otero, was last seen as the car was entering the creek, the sheriff’s office added.

Edward Sapien, the rescued man, later told local station KTVK  that heard cries of help as he was returning home and spotted Otero in the floodwaters — which is when he called 911 and jumped into action to try and save him.

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The sheriff’s office previously said that Otero was from Cordes Lake, and that according to a relative, Otero left his home about 3 p.m., but never reached his destination.

Dilaila Apodaca, who identified herself as Otero’s niece, expressed gratitude to Sapien for trying to save her uncle’s life.

“For him to go and try and help my uncle, that’s the biggest thing in the whole wide world. And to me that’s a hero,” said Apodaca, according to Fox affiliate KSAZ.

Yavapai County had been under severe thunderstorm and flash flood watches due to heavy rainfall on Tuesday. Authorities advised residents at the time to not drive or walk into or through floodwaters, and to avoid travel until weather conditions improved.