A 38-year-old man who went missing during Friday’s severe storms in Scottsdale was found dead Saturday morning after crews located his body near a submerged vehicle, authorities said.
The victim, identified as Ander J. Pallares Polanco, had last contacted family around 6:15 p.m. Friday while out delivering food, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety and Scottsdale police.
Around 7:46 p.m. Friday, officers responded to reports of a vehicle trapped in floodwaters at Vista Del Camino Park, near 77th and Roosevelt streets. The car was almost completely underwater — submerged in 8 to 9 feet of murky floodwater with only the trunk visible. Drones and helicopters were used to assess the scene, but no signs of life were detected.
Because of dangerous conditions, officials decided to monitor the site overnight. By 6 a.m. Saturday, the water level had dropped several feet, allowing Scottsdale fire crews to access the area. Polanco’s body was discovered pinned beneath a walkway bridge in about six feet of water, outside the vehicle.
His body was recovered using the fire department’s swift water rescue boat around 7:40 a.m.
The Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the official cause of death. Scottsdale police said the investigation remains ongoing.
