MOHAVE VALLEY–Authorities believe the man whose body was pulled out of the Colorado River over the weekend had jumped in while fleeing from police.

Mohave County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Anita Mortensen said the victim, who was later identified as Joshua Jenkins, 38, of Mohave Valley, had reportedly fled from another law enforcement agency on April 5 around midnight in Mohave Valley. Mortensen said their agency received an anonymous call on April 16 questioning the identity of the male, who had not been identified at the time of recovery. The caller advised sheriff detectives that one of their family members had recently fled from police and jumped into the river to avoid being captured.

Mortensen said on Wednesday, detectives were able to confirm another law enforcement agency had attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle that was occupied by two occupants, one female and one male. She said the officer had visually identified the male as Jenkins, citing previous contacts with the subject. The vehicle failed to pull over and was later found abandoned near First Beach in Needles, Calif.

A search of the area was conducted by law enforcement and a K9, but neither subject was found, said Mortensen.

Jenkins, who had active felony warrants issued by the United States Marshal’s Office, allegedly fled from the vehicle on foot and jumped into the river to escape being arrested.

His body was discovered floating down the river near Pirate’s Cove on Saturday. The Mohave County Medical Examiner’s Office positively identified the body as Jenkins and has since ruled his death as an accidental drowning.

This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office at 928-753-0753.