Local News
Jayden Barreto Died After Jumping From Chimney Rock at Lake Martin During Graduation Celebration
A tragic accident at Chimney Rock claimed the life of 24-year-old Jayden Barreto, a Georgia man who was celebrating his college graduation with friends at Lake Martin, authorities confirmed.
According to Elmore County Sheriff’s Office Sheriff Bill Franklin, Barreto, who was from the Columbus, Georgia area, was spending time at the popular lake destination Wednesday with a group of friends when the incident occurred.
Investigators said Barreto jumped from Chimney Rock, a well-known cliff-jumping location on Lake Martin, but never resurfaced after entering the water.
Emergency crews from multiple agencies quickly responded to the scene and launched a large-scale search and recovery operation after reports of a missing swimmer.
Authorities said divers spent several hours searching the water under difficult conditions before locating Barreto’s body approximately 50 feet underwater on a submerged shelf beneath the cliff area. Officials noted the water depth extended at least another 70 feet beyond that point.
Sheriff Franklin described the dangers associated with jumping from Chimney Rock, warning that the impact can be extremely dangerous depending on how a person enters the water.
“The jump from Chimney Rock is like hitting a sheet of glass from 60 feet up,” Franklin said. “It all depends on how your body hits the water.”
At approximately 9:45 p.m. Wednesday, Montgomery Fire Rescue confirmed that the missing swimmer had been located deceased and recovered from the lake following the extensive underwater search effort.
In a statement, Montgomery Fire Rescue said crews worked alongside several partner agencies during the prolonged recovery mission.
“Crews worked alongside multiple partner agencies in a coordinated and extended search effort under challenging conditions,” the department stated.
Officials said Montgomery Fire Rescue deployed six divers who conducted systematic underwater search operations before locating Barreto.
Several agencies assisted in the operation, including the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Delta Division Dive Team, Montgomery EMA, and Elmore EMA.
Authorities said Barreto’s body was transported to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for an autopsy.
The tragedy has left family members, friends, and the local community mourning the loss of the young graduate whose celebration turned fatal in a matter of moments.
Officials continue reminding the public about the serious dangers associated with cliff jumping and deep-water recreation areas, particularly at heavily visited locations like Chimney Rock on Lake Martin.
Local News
29-Year-Old Alex Rodriguez Found Dead on University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, No Foul Play Suspected
URBANA, Ill. — A 29-year-old Champaign man found dead on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus Monday morning has been identified as Alex C. Rodriguez, according to the Champaign County Coroner’s Office.
The University of Illinois Police Department (UIPD) responded to the area of Green and Wright streets at approximately 6:42 a.m. after receiving a report of an unresponsive person near the Alma Mater statue.
Officers arrived and found Rodriguez on a concrete bench. Emergency medical assistance was requested at the scene.
The Champaign County Coroner’s Office responded, and Rodriguez was pronounced dead at approximately 7:16 a.m., according to Coroner Laurie Brauer.
Authorities said Rodriguez was not affiliated with the University of Illinois.
UIPD provided an update Monday afternoon, saying preliminary observations at the scene revealed no signs of foul play.
Police also said there was no evidence of an ongoing threat to the university campus or surrounding community based on the information available when officers responded.
Because investigators did not identify an active threat, the university did not issue an Illini-Alert emergency notification.
The circumstances surrounding Rodriguez’s death have not been determined.
An autopsy has been scheduled, and the death remains under investigation by the University of Illinois Police Department.
Authorities have not released additional information about the circumstances leading to Rodriguez’s death.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details are expected as investigators receive further information from the autopsy and other evidence.
No foul play has been indicated based on the preliminary investigation.