No foul play suspected in Huron teacher’s death. He was missing for 18 days
No foul play is suspected in the death of Huron substitute teacher Francisco Madera, who went missing for 18 days before his body was found floating in the California Aqueduct on New Year’s Eve, according to Fresno County Sheriff’s office.
According to the CHP, at approximately 8:30 a.m., on Dec. 31, an employee with the Department of Water Resources (DWR), San Luis Field Division, discovered a human body floating in the California Aqueduct within Fresno County. .
Fresno County Sheriff’s Dive Unit recovered Madera’s body from the Aqueduct, near Goldenrod and Gale Avenue , said Tony Botti, spokesman for the Fresno County Sheriff - Coroner’s Office.
Botti said no foul play is suspected in Madera’s death.
“Shoe tracks showed he may have gone into the canal. Our Dive Unit went into the water, but he was not found,” Botti said. “On the 31st, a body was found floating south of this area. It was determined to be Francisco.”
The 34-year-old was reported missing in Kings County by family members after he failed to return home on Dec. 13. He was last seen around 10:40 p.m. in Armona, just west of Hanford.
Madera’s vehicle, a four-door 2008 Honda Civic, was found crashed into a tree near the Aqueduct at Mitchell Avenue and Hwy. 145 on Dec. 15, two days after he went missing, according to Botti.
As of Wednesday, more than $24,000 was raised for Madera’s family to help cover funeral and memorial expenses and the unexpected financial burden his death has placed on his family.
“We want to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts for the overwhelming love, support, prayers, and generosity shown to our family during this incredibly difficult time. Your kindness has meant more to us than words can express,” Cecilia said on the GoFundMe page.
Cecilia Madera said her brother was known for his kindness, laugh, and the way he showed up for the people he cared about. He was protective, loyal, and always ready to help, she said.
Madera, the oldest of four siblings, went missing a week before what would have been his 35th birthday on Dec. 21.
Family plans to honor and repatriate Madera to his birthplace in Jalisco, a place that meant so much to him and his family, they said.
As of Wednesday, funeral and memorial services for Madera were not available. You can view the GoFundMe here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/honoring-our-beloved-brother-and-son
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact CHP Detective Jose Cabrera at (559) 603-7740.
