On 10/14/10 at approx. 0850hrs in the verde river near horsehoe lake area two people reported 3 family members overdue/missing. At approx. 1000hrs i arrived at the intersection of cave creek and bartlett dam rd and contacted the subjects who reported the overdue victims. Together they told me that one of the subject's husband, the other’s step son and one other individual had gone fishing last night around 1am in a canoe down near their campsite by horseshoe dam on the river. The subject said she had seen them go out around 1am and provided a description of each. Due to the timeframe and lack of communication with their camp i followed them to where they were camping to see if the group had returned while they were away. At 1052 i arrived at their campsite which was located approx. 1/2 mile downstream from the horseshoe cmapground along the verde river where the other subject spoke spanish to another male at the campsite and he related to me that they had found the canoe downstream about 1/2 mile partially submerged in the middle of the river with several items belonging to the missing men. Through the other subject translating the male said he tied a can cooler to the boat in case it went completeely under. Through translation i had subject2 show me where he had left the canoe in the river. The canoe was located approx. 50 meters from the southern shoreline in the middle of the river. At this time i requested additional resources including for 1 helicopter, search and rescue, and dive coordinator. This investigation was turned over to coordinators and detectives while i assisted in search oeprations. Nothing further. **this is a preliminary report, all 3 bodies were later located. This report will be updated when final report is forwarded to az game and fish dept.**
SCOTTSDALE                    