ELEPHANT BUTTE, N.M. (AP) — The remains of a U.S. Air Force servicemember were found in a lake located in southern New Mexico on Monday. This discovery came two days after the airman, who was assigned to Kirtland Air Force Base, was reported missing from this favored recreational area, as announced by military officials.
The servicemember, part of the 351st Special Warfare Training Squadron, disappeared at Elephant Butte Lake on Saturday. The individual’s identity has not been released pending the notification of family members, stated Lt. Daniel Fernandez, a spokesperson for Kirtland Air Force Base.
State authorities responsible for Elephant Butte Lake State Park, which is a well-known retreat positioned between Albuquerque and El Paso, Texas, have launched an investigation into the cause of death.
State Parks spokesperson Sidney Hill said there are no indications of foul play. The body was transferred to the state Office of the Medical Investigator to determine the cause of death.
At a boat ramp on the lake Monday, military personnel including members of the 351st and an Air Force rescue squadron formed two lines for a dignified transfer of the remains from a boat. The lake otherwise was busy with Memorial Day revelers.
A long list of agencies participated in the search for the missing airman, including New Mexico state police, a local fire department, New Mexico State Park rangers and a team from the 306th Rescue Squadron out of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona.
