The body of a missing Border Patrol agent has been found in the Colorado River near the spot where he had rescued a suspected illegal immigrant from the water.
The FBI was investigating the death of James Epling, said Jerome Wofford, a field operations supervisor for the Border Patrol’s Yuma sector.
Epling, 24, was last seen Tuesday chasing four immigrants along a trail just north of the Mexico border on the California side of the river near Yuma. Moments earlier, he had pulled a Chinese woman from the river.
“He is a true hero, having risked his own life to save others,” said Michael Nicley, Yuma sector patrol chief.
Epling’s body was found Friday within 200 yards of where he was last seen, in water about 27 feet deep, said Joe Brigman, a spokesman for the sector.
An autopsy was conducted Saturday.
