On July 25, 2015, 23-year-old Joel Castro Juarez was enjoying a day on Redfish Lake in Stanley, Idaho, with his family. The group had rented a boat and were approximately 200 yards from Point Campground when a piece of clothing fell into the water. In an attempt to retrieve the item, Joel jumped from the boat into the lake. He was not wearing a life jacket at the time. The water in Redfish Lake is known to be very cold, and upon entering, Joel was quickly affected by the temperature.
The sudden shock of the cold water made it difficult for Joel to get back to the rental boat. In a brave effort to help him, two other people from the boat jumped into the water. However, they also struggled with the cold and found it challenging to lift Joel back aboard. Tragically, despite their efforts, Joel submerged and did not come back to the surface. The area where he was last seen is known for its deep water, estimated to be between 110 and 150 feet deep.
Immediately following the incident, authorities were alerted, and a search for Joel began. The Custer County Sheriff's Office, along with Marine patrol and search and rescue teams, searched the lake until dark on the day he went missing. The search efforts continued the following day, expanding to include volunteers, divers, a water search dog, and even a submersible robot. Deputies from Bonneville and Bingham counties also joined the extensive search. After six days of intensive searching, however, there was no sign of Joel. The official search was later suspended due to poor weather conditions and the challenging depth of the water, with plans to resume with specialized deep-water sonar equipment when it became available.Last Seen: Jul 25, 2015
