Body recovered at Ballinger Municipal Lake

BALLINGER, TX - The body of a 20-year-old drowning victim was recovered at Ballinger Municipal Lake on Monday, July 1, 2024. 

Ronal E. George Soriano was discovered in the lake about 11 a.m. Monday, following a search-and-rescue effort the previous night, according to a press release from the Ballinger Police Department.

Police were dispatched about 5:20 p.m. Sunday in response to a call about someone yelling for help at the lake.

The caller told dispatch that four people had walked out into the lake, which is much lower than normal, and that someone had fallen in and didn't come back up. 

Police believe that Soriano, who reportedly could not swim, was walking on a sandbar in the middle of the lake when he fell into a deeper part of the water. 

No alcohol was involved, according to the release.

The Ballinger Volunteer Fire Department immediately began a water rescue and searched for the man, assisted by the game warden. There were several boats launched, using sonar and drones, police said. 

The search went through the night until it was unsafe for responders to continue. The search resumed at 6:30 a.m. Monday until he was found at 11 a.m.

Soriano, who was originally from North Richland Hills, had been a resident of Ballinger for about six months.