Body in canal local man; 3rd canal death this year

The body found near a canal gate by Peters & Nall and N. Ralston roads has been identified as Todd Kibler, 43, of Maricopa.

Kibler’s body was found by an employee of the Maricopa Stanfield Irrigation District Friday. Pinal County sheriff deputies estimated he had been in the canal for approximately two weeks.

Kibler’s body was transported to the county medical examiner’s office and identified the following day.

According to a PCSO press release, Kibler’s family said he was last seen at a friend’s house Aug. 5. It is believed that he went into the canal for a swim. Authorities also believe alcohol may have been a contributing factor.

Kibler would reportedly go to the irrigation canal to swim regularly. Kibler’s vehicle was discovered approximately a quarter mile upstream from where his body was found.

The investigation is still ongoing.

Swimming in the canals is dangerous.

“Water safety and drowning prevention isn’t just for swimming pools, it can be for any body of water,” said Brad Pitassi, Maricopa Fire Department public information officer.

“These are not clean bodies of water,” Pitassi said.

One of the largest risks associated with swimming in the canal is that “we don’t know what’s under that water,” Pitassi said. There could be any manner of debris, he said, ranging from trash to large chunks of junk people have thrown in.

“You can jump in and a piece of clothing can get caught,” Pitassi said. “The sides of these canals are also really slippery, so even an able-bodied, healthy swimmer could have problems.”