Man swept away in a wash during Tucson monsoon storm found dead

A 29-year-old man was found dead Saturday in the Santa Cruz River, one day after heavy monsoon rainfall in the Tucson area.

Ernesto Ojeda was reported missing Friday evening. His family said he had been near Julian Wash earlier that day, when rising water was reported. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department said Ojeda had developmental disabilities and functioned at a cognitive level comparable to a 10-year-old.

Before 3:30 p.m. Friday, someone was reported swept into the wash near Julian Drive and Palo Verde Road. Search crews and aircraft looked through parts of Julian Wash and the Santa Cruz River before suspending the effort for the night.

The search resumed Saturday morning after water levels dropped. Ojeda’s body was found shortly before 1 p.m. near the Interstate 10 and Interstate 19 interchange.

The Sheriff’s Department said there were no apparent signs of suspicious circumstances. The Pima County medical examiner’s office will determine the cause of death. The Arizona Department of Public Safety, Tucson Fire Department and Tucson Police Department assisted with the search.