In the quiet landscape of Safford, Arizona, the life of 43-year-old Jaime 'Dax' Gonzalez came to a tragic end on August 10, 2017. A man out for a walk with his dogs along the Gila River made a grim discovery, spotting Gonzalez floating in the water with a significant head injury, yet still showing faint signs of life. The witness quickly sought higher ground to make a call to emergency services, though he lost sight of Gonzalez as the river's current carried him away.
Responding law
enforcement officers arrived at the scene and, with the help of the caller, located Gonzalez in the river. A deputy bravely entered the water to pull him to the bank. As more help arrived, a crucial piece of the puzzle was discovered upstream: a Jeep and a handgun were found in a nearby parking area for Bonita Creek. A medical helicopter was dispatched to transport Gonzalez to a hospital in Tucson, but he succumbed to his injuries en route.
Investigators processed the scene where the vehicle and weapon were found. They recovered a. 380 pistol with live rounds still in the magazine, alongside a single spent cartridge. Based on the evidence at the scene and the nature of the wound, authorities concluded that Jaime Gonzalez's death was the result of a self-inflicted gunshot. The investigation into the incident was closed with no suspicion of foul play, leaving behind a community to mourn the sudden and heartbreaking loss.
