In Rocky Ford, Colorado, a town about 160 miles south of Denver, the community is dealing with the tragic loss of three-year-old Amari Galan. The young child, diagnosed with autism, went missing over the weekend, with his body later discovered in an irrigation canal. His disappearance sparked a large-scale search involving various law enforcement agencies and residents of the town.
Amari was last spotted around 4 a.m. on Saturday, May 18, 2024, leaving his Washington Street home wearing only a diaper. Local authorities responded promptly, deploying drones, search dogs, and personnel on foot in an effort to find the missing boy. Despite their exhaustive efforts, Amari was found dead in the Catlin Canal, several miles downstream, around 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 19.
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) verified the discovery in a press release, saying, “Law enforcement wishes to share its condolences with the family of Amari Galan.” The Otero County Coroner and Amari’s family later confirmed his identity.
The Mayor of Rocky Ford, Duane L. Gurule, expressed his condolences via a Facebook post. He wrote, “May we come together as a community to offer our support, comfort, and strength to the family of Amari Galan during this heartbreaking time.” Mayor Gurule also commended the work of law enforcement and search-and-rescue teams, noting their dedication, professionalism, and compassion throughout the operation.
Investigators believe Amari left his home on foot early in the morning. His young age and the fact that he was only wearing a diaper added to the concern about his disappearance. His autism further amplified the urgency, making him more susceptible and less likely to react to searchers.
During the weekend, search teams thoroughly examined the area surrounding Amari’s home, focusing on the Catlin Canal, located directly behind the residence. The canal, a prominent feature of the local environment, became the center of the search efforts as the teams followed the waterway downstream.
Drones supplied aerial surveillance, while search dogs covered the ground. The closely-knit Rocky Ford community rallied, with volunteers joining the search. Despite these extensive efforts, it was the ground search-and-rescue personnel who ultimately located Amari’s body in the canal, leading to a tragic conclusion to the search.
The recovery of Amari’s body has left the Rocky Ford community in a state of shock and sorrow. Mayor Gurule’s call for unity and support echoes the town’s collective desire to come together in the wake of this tragedy. “Our thoughts are with you,” he added in his statement, emphasizing the shared grief of the residents.
As the community grieves, they also honor the commitment of those who worked ceaselessly to find Amari. The CBI’s statement acknowledged the hard work and compassion of everyone involved. “Your dedication, professionalism, and compassion in the face of such a tragic situation have not gone unnoticed,” the statement read.
