Romero drowning in Gila River deemed accidental

Contributed Photo: The death of Samuel Romero Jr. by drowning in the Gila River has been deemed accidental.

By Jon Johnson

jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com

GRAHAM COUNTY – In an official statement released by the Graham County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday, the death of Samuel Romero Jr., 23, has been ruled as accidental by the Pima County Medical Examiner. 

According to the medical examiner’s autopsy report, Romero died from drowning after ingesting methamphetamine.

“In consideration of the known circumstances surrounding this death, the available medical history, and the examination of the remains, the cause of death is ascribed to drowning in the setting of methamphetamine intoxication,” the report stated. “The manner of death is accident.”

Romero went missing Monday, Feb. 18 and was last seen northbound on First Avenue in Thatcher near the Gila River. 

On Tuesday, March 12, Romero’s body was recovered out of the Gila River after being spotted by a man fishing in an area off Center Street in Pima.