Collinsville man drowns after jumping off cliff on Meramec River

The body of a Collinsville man was found in the Meramec River after he jumped off a bluff and disappeared beneath the current.

Uriel P. Martinez, 25, was pronounced dead at 5:30 p.m. Monday, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. He was found at Meramec State Park downstream of the park’s boat ramp.

Bystanders told investigators that Martinez jumped from a bluff into the river, but couldn’t swim out of it. He was not wearing a safety device.

Martinez’s body was transported to St. Louis County Morgue by Superior Mortuary Service, the highway patrol stated.

According to the MSHP fatality history, this is the third reported drowning in 2022. The Missouri State Park Service and Sullivan Fire Department assisted in the recovery and investigation.

This story was originally published July 6, 2022 at 5:12 PM.