The body of a missing swimmer at Raccoon River Park in West Des Moines was found Monday morning.
West Des Moines police were called at about 5:30 p.m. Sunday, June 15 to a potential drowning in Blue Heron Lake at the park, 2500 Grand Ave. A witness said an 18-year-old male had gone under and did not come back up, said Sgt. Dan Wade, police spokesperson.
Police began a grid search for the swimmer before calling in the Des Moines Police Department/Metro STAR Dive Team to search the water, he said. The search was called off at nightfall Sunday and resumed Monday morning.
The body was recovered a little after 10 a.m. Monday, Wade said.
The beach and the boathouse at the park were closed while the search was ongoing.
Friends on scene said the swimmer is an immigrant from Eritrea. Family and friends were heard chanting a prayer in unison while consoling each other at the playground near the lake after police told them they recovered the body.
Unrelated spectators who brought their children to their park tried to offer their condolences to the grieving. One passerby brought a package of water to give to family members who had been standing outside since 7 a.m.
Some family and friends looked out helplessly and cried as the search teams concluded their search.
The name of the victim has not been released.
José Mendiola is a breaking news reporter for the Register. Reach him at jmendiola@dmreg.com or follow him on X @mendiola_news.
This story was updated to add new information and a gallery.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Dive team recovers body of missing swimmer at Blue Heron Lake in West Des Moines
Reporting by José Mendiola, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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