Ohio pastor may have photographed victims before river drownings

A pastor who regularly boats on the Scioto River said he photographed five adults wading in the water shortly before they drowned on Sunday. Marcus L. Martin, who has boated the area for about a decade, recognized the spot as hazardous because of steep slopes and a sudden drop-off. He recalled warning others there previously and, after seeing the group again two hours later, took a picture despite nearby boat traffic.

Delaware County Sheriff Jeffrey Balzer said investigators believe one adult began to struggle and the others attempted to assist, resulting in all five being swept under and dying. The bodies of two women were recovered on Sunday, with the remaining three found the following day. Honduran officials confirmed that four of the victims were Honduran citizens, naming two of them as Jose Mario Pineda Dias, 33, and his wife Marina Suyapa Regalado, 28.

Martin told reporters he believes his photo shows the victims, noting that it is uncommon to see people fishing or swimming in that stretch of the river. He said he tried to share the image with law enforcement and a news reporter the day after the incident, but it did not receive a response.

The Honduran embassy said it is in contact with the victims’ families and will assist with identification and possible repatriation, a process that could take several weeks. An 8-year-old and a 10-year-old, children of one of the couples, have been placed in the care of Franklin County Children Services and are receiving support, including therapy dogs, while relatives arrange temporary housing.

"We are working with relatives and family friends in Columbus to provide a temporary home for the children," said Scott Varner, a spokesman for the agency. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to confirm identities and notify families.