Sahr Sewah, a 22 year old Arizona State University graduate, drowned while tubing with friends on the Salt River, just weeks after finishing his degree.
A river trip that turned tragic
Sewah had graduated from ASU on May 12 and was tubing with a group of friends on May 23 when the outing took a sudden and devastating turn. According to a relative who witnessed what happened, Sewah fell from his inflatable tube and struggled to stay above the surface before going under. His friends realized he was missing only after they had turned back to check on him, and the group’s search quickly became a call for help.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office responded to a missing person report that afternoon and began a search along the river. His body was recovered the following day, and his family was later notified.
Confirming the cause
The Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner has since confirmed that Sewah’s death was caused by drowning and ruled the manner of death accidental. Investigators have said there is no indication of foul play, and officials have continued reviewing the circumstances that led to him entering the water, including current conditions and depth changes common to the Salt River during warmer months.
Authorities have used the case as an opportunity to remind the public of the risks that come with tubing and swimming in natural waterways, noting that even strong swimmers can be caught off guard by unexpected currents and underwater hazards.
Remembering a life full of promise
Family members have described Sewah as a kind and warm presence who touched the people around him, and his death has left both his family and the ASU community grappling with a loss that arrived just as his future was opening up. He had recently completed his degree and was looking ahead to what friends and relatives described as a life full of hope and possibility…