The Eddy County Sheriff’s Office (ECSO) reported this evening that the body of a male individual has been found at Brantley Lake State Park.
Just before 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, ECSO deputies were dispatched to Brantley in reference to a possible drowning. Upon arrival, they were informed that a male individual who was in the water had submerged and could not be located.
A search was initiated, with divers from the New Mexico State Police (NMSP), Carlsbad Fire Department and Atoka Volunteer Fire Department scouring the lake and the Happy Valley Volunteer Fire Department, New Mexico State Parks and Recreation, NMSP and Eddy County Office of Emergency Management assisting with the investigation.
The search was called off late Saturday evening after authorities were unable to locate the man, and the park reopened to visitors Sunday morning, May 17.
At 10:15 p.m. Sunday, the ECSO reported a deceased male individual had been located at Brantley. The identity of this male individual has not yet been confirmed. The ECSO Detective Division is investigating the death with continued assistance from the NMSP, Carlsbad Fire Department, Eddy County Office of Emergency Management, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, New Mexico State Parks and Recreation, and Atoka and Happy Valley Volunteer Fire Departments.
Anyone with potential information on this incident is urged to contact Cpt. Matthew Hutchinson or Det. Josh Rodriguez with the ECSO at 575-887-7551.
