The search for a missing 35-year old male who went missing in the waters of Lake Diefenbaker last week came to an end on the fifth day of searching.
The body of the man was recovered on Monday afternoon, August 24 shortly after 1:00 pm, according to Sgt. Mark Langager of the Outlook RCMP. Outlook RCMP were continuing their search with their Dive Team in Lake Diefenbaker for the 5th day when the male's body was located in the water 100 metres offshore near Gardiner Dam.
A media release first reported that at 6:40 p.m. on August 20, Outlook RCMP received a complaint of the possible drowning. It was said an adult male and adult female were swimming in Lake Diefenbaker.
The female made it back to shore and could not locate the 35-year-old male in the water or on the shore. He was last seen in the area of Danielson Provincial Park.
Outlook RCMP, Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment, Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA), Outlook Fire Department and members of the public began searching the lake and shoreline by boat, ground and air over the weekend.
Though RCMP said in their official statement that the name of the deceased would not be released, a Global News Saskatoon article identified the man as Mazen Cruz. It was said that Cruz and Victoria Daniels, age 26, and Victoria’s young daughter were enjoying a warm evening on the lake in a motorized dingy, stopping from time to time to take a dip in the water.
Before heading to shore, Daniels wanted one last swim, but she said she was immediately pulled under by the strong current and began yelling for help. It was said that Cruz promptly jumped into the water after her, but he himself was carried away by the current. That was the last that Daniels saw of Cruz.
According to Victoria, her 7-year old daughter is the one who actually helped her mom, paddling the boat over to her and pulling her back aboard before the two went back to shore.
Police say the investigation into the tragic incident is ongoing.
