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A flash flood near Payson killed at least nine people in July 2017. This amateur footage shows how quickly the waters rose. (David Cole/YouTube)
A body found as part of a search-and-rescue operation has been confirmed as that of 27-year-old Hector Miguel Garnica, the 10th victim of a flash flood that also claimed his wife and children along with other relatives at a swimming hole near Payson.
Gila County Sheriff J. Adam Shepherd confirmed the identity Friday evening.
The body was found by searchers Wednesday just below the confluence of Shoo Fly Creek and the East Verde River, officials said. Garnica had been the focus of a search-and-rescue operation off Forest Service Road 420 at the Cold Springs Swimming Hole north of Payson.
RELATED: Remains of 10th Payson flash-flood victim believed to be found
Garnica was at the swimming hole with his family and other relatives when a flash flood swept through the area, claiming the lives of nine other family members.
More than 130 people had been searching for his body since the tragedy.
The flash flood had trapped members of his family who had visited the Cold Springs swimming hole in the forest north of Payson as part of a birthday celebration for Garnica’s wife, Maria Raya-Garcia.
Maria Raya-Garcia, 27, and their children Emily, 3, Mia, 5, and Daniel, 7, also died.
Five others in their family also perished. They are:
- Maribel Raya-Garcia, 24, Maria Raya’s sister, along with her daughter:
- Erica Raya-Garcia, 2.
- Javier Raya-Garcia, 19, brother of Maria and Maribel.
- Selia Garcia Castenada, 57, the mother of Maria, Maribel and Javier.
- Jonathan Leon, 13, Selia Garcia’s grandson.
Four other family members were rescued. They were identified Monday as Julio Garcia, 29, Esthela Atonado, 28, Acis Raiden Garcia, 8, and Marina Garcia, 1.
READ MORE:
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The Payson flash flood: How did this happen?
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‘They had no warning’: 9 from Phoenix family dead in flash flood; 1 still missing
A flash flood near Payson killed at least nine people in July 2017. This amateur footage shows how quickly the waters rose. (David Cole/YouTube)
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Search operations section chief Cougan Carothers describes how a DPS helicopter found remains believed to be that of Hector Miguel Garnica. Hannah Gaber/azcentral.com
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Gila County Sheriff Adam Shepherd announces the finding of remains believed to be Hector Miguel Garnica on July 19, 2017. Garnica went missing after a flash flood in Payson, Arizona on Saturday. Hannah Gaber/azcentral.com
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Tiffany Davila, spokeswoman for the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, gives details on the search for flash-flood victim Hector Miguel Garnica on July 19, 2017 in Payson. Hannah Gaber/azcentral.com
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Family members Carla and Iris Garnica discuss missing flash-flood victim Hector Miguel Garnica. Thomas Hawthorne/azcentral.com
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Pruett Small, operations chief of search efforts for Hector Miguel Garnica following a flash flood in Payson on July 15, 2017, gives a briefing on July 19. Hannah Gaber/azcentral.com
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Authorities give an update as search teams scour a 2.5-mile area along Ellison Creek on Tuesday, July 18, 2017 northeast of Payson, in hopes of finding the missing man whose family was in a flash flood. Rob Schumacher/azcentral.com
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Search teams scour a 2½-mile area along Ellison Creek on Tuesday, July 18, 2017 northeast of Payson, in hopes of finding the missing man whose extended family was trapped in a flash flood. Perry Vandell and Rob Schumacher/azcentral.com
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Authorities say they have found nine bodies and are only looking for one more person among a group who got swept up in a furious flash flood in the Tonto National Forest in Arizona. (July 17)
AP
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Sgt. David Hornung of the Gila County Sheriff’s Office gives an update on the search for a missing person on July 17, 2017, following a recent flash flood in Payson. David Kadlubowski/azcentral.com
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Tom Price, a friend of the family that was washed away by a flash flood north of Payson on Saturday, July 15, 2017, has set up a GoFundMe page to help with funeral expenses. Nine members are confirmed dead. One is missing. Tom Tingle/azcentral.com
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Sgt. David Hornung of the Gila County Sheriff’s Office gives an update on the search for a missing person following a recent flash flood. David Kadlubowski/azcentral.com
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Carla Garnica, 22, describes the search for her family members, at least 9 of whom were killed in the flash flood.
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Search and rescue teams who were already in the area helped save people caught in Saturday’s flash floods in Arizona. Nearby residents say some who visit the area may not be aware that the weather can quickly turn into dangerous conditions. (July 17)
AP
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A rural fire chief says at least four people were found dead and about a dozen more are missing after flash flooding poured over a popular swimming area inside the Tonto National Forest in central Arizona. (July 16)
AP
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22-year-old Carla Garnica’s brother Miguel, 27, is still missing. Nine of their family members were killed in the flood. Video courtesy of Telemundo Arizona
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Officials search for drowning victims following a flash flood at a popular swimming hole north of Payson that at least killed nine people from a Phoenix family.
David Kadlubowski/The Republic
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Several children died in the flash flood.
Yihyun Jeong/The Republic
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This video of a flash flood in the Water Wheel area outside of Payson was posted June 15 by YouTube user David Cole.
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Flash flooding at Water Wheel
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