News Releases

Detectives Investigate Drowning in Potomac River

For Immediate Release: Friday, June 4, 2021

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police (MCP) - Major Crimes Division are investigating a drowning in the Potomac River that occurred on May 31.

On Monday, May 31, at approximately 8:00 p.m., 2nd District officers along with Montgomery County Fire and Rescue personnel responded for the possible drowning of an adult male in the Potomac River near Scott’s Run.

Witnesses told investigators that the victim, identified as Franky Smith Gonzales Sapaico, age 26, of Springfield, Virginia, was swimming in the river in the area of Scott’s Run when he went underwater and never resurfaced.  MCP -Managed Search and Operations Team (MSOT) officers along with Montgomery County Fire and Rescue personnel searched for Sapaico that evening but could not locate the victim.  

Search operations continued until the evening of June 3.  At approximately 5:00 p.m. this evening (Friday, June 4,) family members, who were also searching for Sapaico, located his body in the water near Scott’s Run.  

MCP along with Montgomery County Fire Rescue personnel responded to the Potomac River near Scott’s Run and located the victim.  

 

# # #

Release ID: 21-223
Media Contact: RLG 
Categories: death-investigation