Body Found in Cedar River Identified by Waterloo Police

Just over two weeks ago, on Monday, June 13, authorities pulled a lifeless body from the Cedar River. Waterloo Fire Rescue began their search of the river the previous Friday night and Saturday morning after they were notified of a Hispanic man taking his shirt off and entering the river.

Police told KWWL that "the original caller reported seeing the male floating in the river, and then the person floated out of their line of sight." That call came at 6:29 PM on Friday evening.

After pulling a body from the Cedar that following Monday, police believed they had found the person they were searching for but, up until today, have been waiting to confirm the person's identity to media pending family notification.

Per a different report from KWWL, the individual's identity has now been released. The news site says this: "Police have identified a man who drowned in the Cedar River, possibly during the My Waterloo Days parade, as 25-year-old Miguel Angel Reyes-Guzman."

No foul play was suspected when Reyes-Guzman's body was found, and following an autopsy by the State Medical Examiner's Office, it's been determined that he drowned in the river.

No further explanation regarding the circumstances of his drowning has been released at this time.

The U.S. Forest Service recommends the following on how to avoid drowning in a river:

• Avoid rock hopping. Stream polished rocks along the water's edge may be slippery when wet or dry.
• If you choose to cross a stream by going through it, study the area first. Avoid deep and/or swift water.
• When crossing on a natural bridge of rocks or logs, consider where you will land if you fall. Never cross above rapids or falls.
• If you are crossing a stream, unbuckle your pack's waist strap so you can shed it if you fall to prevent being pulled under by its weight. Consider putting your back in a waterproof back, which become a floating device to help your head stay above water.
• Do not tie yourself into safety ropes — they can drown you.
• If you fall into fast-moving water, do not try to stand up. The force of the water will push you over and hold you under.