By LYNETTE HAALAND
Four Points News

The body of the San Antonio man, Roger Mendoza, 33, who went missing on Lake Travis on the Fourth of July was recovered on July 6, according to the San Antonio Express-News.

Travis County Sheriff’s Office shared last week that on July 4 around 6 p.m. TCSO Lake Patrol Deputies and other agencies responded to a 911 report of a missing swimmer, near the Hippie Hollow area of Lake Travis. 

Rescue efforts were unsuccessful, and the incident transitioned to a recovery mission at 6:43 p.m. TCSO Lake Patrol Deputies began sonar searches immediately. Recovery efforts were suspended later that evening due to darkness.

Early Tuesday morning, July 5, deputies resumed searches via sonar and a remotely operated underwater camera system. TCSO’s Dive Team conducted searches in the area where the swimmer was last seen. The depth in that area is approximately 40 feet.

TCSO Lake Patrol Deputies began shoreline and surface searches at 6:45 a.m. on July 6. At 7:15 a.m., the body of a male matching the description of Mendoza was located.

“Our family is extremely devastated,” shared Naomi Sanchez, cousin of the drowning victim, in a GoFundMe post. “Please continue praying for our family as this is a tragic loss.” 

 Over the Fourth of July weekend, the Texas Game Wardens reported 10 drownings, one boating-related fatality, and 38 reportable boating accidents across the state, according to Express-News. On Canyon Lake, the body of the San Antonio man who drowned on the Fourth of July was recovered on Tuesday, July 5.  Robbie Berlingeri’s family said he fell off the back of the boat with his 2-year-old daughter and eventually went under when trying to save the little girl from drowning, Express-News reported.

Last year, 10 people drowned in Lake Travis during the summer season. That’s the highest number of lives lost on the lake in its history.  

TCSO reminds patrons of Lake Travis that the best way to ensure your safety on the lake, or any other body of water, is to wear a life jacket. In the event of an emergency on the water, follow these steps: