UPDATE – SMCSO 9/10/18
On September 8, 2018, Manuel DeJesus Portillo Romero, age 20 from Alexandria, Virginia, was reported missing. Romero along with family members, were at Myrtle Point Park, located on the water of the Patuxent River in California, MD. As family was preparing to leave the park, Romero was unable to be located. An extensive water and land search was conducted for the missing person on September 8th, and the following day which did not yield any further information.
On September 9, 2018, at approximately 4:10 p.m., deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 24000 block of Half Pone Point Road in Hollywood, and recovered a deceased body from the water. The individual recovered was positively identified as Manuel DeJesus Portillo Romero. At this time no foul play is suspected; per protocol Romero was sent to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy.
Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Detective Brian Fennessey at (301) 475-4200 extension *8103 or by email at Brian.Fennessey@stmarysmd.com. Citizens may remain anonymous and contact Crime Solvers at (301) 475-3333, or text a tip to “TIP239” plus their message to “CRIMES” (274637). Through the Crime Solvers Program tipsters are eligible for an award of up to $1,000 for information about a crime in St. Mary’s County that leads to an arrest or indictment.
For official news and information, follow the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office on Twitter @firstsheriff.
California, MD – The body of a man reported missing earlier this weekend has been recovered from the Patuxent River Sunday evening. The man’s family has been notified. A spokeswoman for the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office told TheBayNet.com that there are no suspicious factors at the time related to the death of Manuel DeJesus Portillo Romero, 20. His body has been transported to Baltimore for an autopsy. Romero was last seen at Myrtle Point Park Saturday, Sept. 8 at approximately 11 a.m.
Update 9:00 p.m.
California, MD – Saturday evening, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office advised of a critically missing person, Manuel DeJesus Portillo Romero. Romero is described as a Hispanic male, 20 years old.
He was last seen at Myrtle Point Park on Sept. 8 at 11:00 a.m. wearing a navy blue Hawaiian style shirt, and black pants with white stripe on the side. Romero is portrayed in the photo above although he currently has facial hair.
If located, please call 301-475-8008.
California, MD – The search has now turned to a recovery effort as first responders search for the swimmer.
California, MD – Around 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8 a missing swimmer was reported in the Myrtle Point area. A male victim was reportedly last seen about 20 feet or so from the shoreline according to witnesses. At this time divers are preparing to go into the Patuxent River to search heading towards the Hollywood area. We will update as more information becomes available.