Pittsboro, NC – The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office can confirm that the individuals recovered from Jordan Lake this week are believed to be Daniel Garcia Garcia, 25, and Manuel Mauro Sifuentes Soto, 36, both of Durham, North Carolina — the two boaters reported missing on Sunday, July 6, 2025. Positive identification is still pending from the medical examiner.
The men were last seen on the afternoon of Sunday, July 6, after launching a canoe from the Martha’s Chapel Road access area. Their unoccupied canoe was recovered later that evening, prompting an extensive, multi-agency search effort that spanned three days. One body was located on Tuesday, and the second was recovered on Wednesday morning by Chatham County Sheriff’s Office personnel.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of these two young men,” said Sheriff Mike Roberson. “Our thoughts are with their families and loved ones. We are grateful to all the agencies that came together in this difficult time to assist in the search and recovery efforts.”
The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office coordinated operations with support from North Chatham Fire Department, Lee County Emergency Management, FirstHealth EMS, North Carolina Highway Patrol, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Nash County Sheriff’s Office, Durham County Sheriff’s Office, and Durham County Paramedics EMS.