Body of 1 man who fell in Trinity River in Dallas recovered. Search continues for other

Harriet Ramos
Updated ·2 min read

The body of one of two young men who fell into the Trinity River on Easter Sunday was recovered Thursday afternoon, officials said.

The body of 21-year-old Juan Ruben Chel Botzoc was found around 3:30 p.m. about 100 yards south of a small dam, according to KXAS-TV.

Chel Botzoc and 18-year-old Edin Oswaldo Yat Choc, both immigrants from Guatemala, were having a cookout at the California Crossing Park on Sunday. One of them got caught in the current when trying to recover part of a grill that had fallen into the water, according to Star-Telegram media partner WFAA-TV. His friend tried to help him and went underwater too.

Chel Botzoc’s father, Alfredo Chel, told KXTX-TV that he is working with the Guatemalan consulate to send his son’s body back to Guatemala. Crews were expected to continue the search for Yat Choc on Friday.

Dallas Fire-Rescue helped search for the men Sunday, but spokesperson Jason Evans said Monday morning that DFR search efforts would not resume.

“The men are believed to be dead, and the most likely case is that the bodies will resurface on their own, at which point we will be asked to help get them from the water,” Evans said.

The Dallas Police Department took over the search as it moved into the recovery phase, according to WFAA. Dallas Police Executive Assistant Chief Albert Martinez said drones, helicopters, boats and the dive team had searched two miles down river. Cadaver dogs were brought in Wednesday to help, WFAA reported.

Police said divers couldn’t enter the water Monday and Wednesday to search because the water was moving too fast, KDFW-TV reported. Search crews returned Thursday morning.

Rebecca Sosa and Kendra Jimenez are volunteering their time to translate for the men’s families.

“You just want them to get their children back and have that peace of mind,” Sosa told WFAA.

Jimenez said the father of one of the victims has been sleeping at the park every night.

“He won’t leave until they find the body,” she told WFAA.