25-year-old woman drowns after tube flips over in Verde River
Jun 8, 2019, 8:40 PM | Updated: Jun 9, 2019, 5:26 pm
(AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
PHOENIX — A 25-year-old woman has died after drowning in the Verde River on Saturday afternoon.
The woman has been identified as Joanna B. Pacheco Sereno.
Sereno’s tube flipped while floating down the river near the Needle Rock recreation area around 3:55 p.m., according to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies say that Sereno was accompanied by three friends at the time of the incident.
Prior to falling off her tube, Sereno hit her head on a large tree branch, according to witnesses.
MCSO says the three friends also fell into the water, but were able to make it safely back to shore.
Sereno’s body was found at approximately 4:40 p.m. by MCSO Aviation Deputies, officials say.
According to MCSO, Sereno was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Lake Patrol Detectives are investigating, but no foul play is suspected, deputies said.