A married couple, identified as Cindy Bowers, 68, and Anthony Beringer, 59, died in a double drowning incident on the Salt River in Arizona on October 31. The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) received a report of a man yelling for help around 1:30 p.m. near the lower section of the river.
Deputies responded to the scene but could not immediately locate the couple. The woman's body was discovered around 2:11 p.m., and the man's body was found approximately 45 minutes later upstream. Authorities stated that neither Bowers nor Beringer were wearing life jackets while in an inflatable kayak.
The incident occurred as Salt River Project (SRP) released higher-than-normal water levels from the Bartlett and Stewart Mountain dams to manage floodwaters following heavy rainfall over Halloween weekend. The National Weather Service had issued a flood warning for areas around the river, which was set to remain in effect until November 7. MCSO issued a public warning, citing dangerous currents, rapidly changing conditions, and the risk of flash flooding from heavy rainfall.
"Increased flows can create dangerous currents and rapidly changing conditions," MCSO stated. "Additionally, heavy rainfall across the County can cause flooding and water to flow across roadways. Never attempt to drive or walk through flowing water. Please use caution and stay safe!" The deaths are currently under investigation.