Bodies of Jordan Lake boaters missing since storm identified by sheriff’s office
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Authorities recovered second body in Jordan Lake search on Wednesday morning.
- Officials found first body Tuesday; names withheld pending family notification.
- Boaters launched canoe Sunday evening; empty vessel found later that night.
The bodies of two boaters who went missing on Jordan Lake last weekend were identified Friday as Daniel Garcia Garcia, 25, and Manuel Mauro Sifuentes Soto, 36. Both men lived in Durham.
“Although this is not the ending we hoped for, we are grateful to bring some degree of closure to the families,” Chatham County Sheriff Mike Roberson said.
The men were last seen about 5 p.m. Sunday, when they launched a canoe from the Martha’s Chapel Road canoe access area, according to a news release. The empty canoe was found that night, The N&O previously reported.
Members of the two men’s families have organized a GoFundMe to help pay for their funerals. It had raised $8,308 of its $11,000 goal as of Friday afternoon.
Garcia and Soto had gone fishing with another friend Sunday, according to the GoFundMe. The friend realized they were taking longer than usual to come back. Eventually, the friend and a family member called 911, and the search began.
Garcia’s body was found Tuesday, and Soto’s body was found Wednesday, according to the GoFundMe. Garcia, born in Durham, was the father of a 5-year-old girl, while Soto, born in Mexico, was the father of a 10-year-old boy and an 8-year-old girl.
This story was originally published July 8, 2025 at 10:55 AM.
