In a somber turn of events, the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the recovery of a body from the Calaveras River, close to the area where a 15-year-old Stagg High School student, Xavier Martinez, was last seen. The discovery was made at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, marking a poignant moment in the days-long search for the missing teenager.
The Stockton Unified School District, in a letter to the community, disclosed that a diver had located the body, which was subsequently recovered by the San Joaquin County Sheriff Department Boating Unit. At this time, the identity of the body has not been released, leaving a community anxious for answers and closure.
Xavier Martinez vanished under tragic circumstances following a campus altercation that escalated between two boys around 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13. The dispute drew in two additional teens before escalating further, resulting in two of the participants entering the water. Only one resurfaced, sparking an intensive search effort that involved underwater drones and thermal detectors, courtesy of the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office.
In a heartfelt interview with FOX40.com, Amanda Martinez, Xavier’s mother, described her son as “the best big brother, best son you could ever imagine having…he is just a very gentle person.” The family had held onto hope that Xavier had managed to exit the water safely and had gone into hiding following the fight.
The incident has deeply affected the Stockton community, rallying volunteers and officials alike in the search efforts. The school district's account of the events leading to Xavier's disappearance paints a tragic picture of a situation quickly spiraling out of control, with the ultimate consequence being a loss that has resonated throughout the city.
As the community awaits official confirmation of the body's identity, the heartache of uncertainty lingers for the Martinez family and for all those who have followed this distressing story. This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of life and the importance of compassion and support in times of crisis.
Updates will be provided as more information becomes available, in hopes of offering some measure of solace to a grieving family and a community united in sorrow.
