15-year-old girl drowns while swimming in Ouachita River with friends, Monroe PD confirms

MONROE, La. (KTVE/KARD) — On Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 6:47 PM, the Monroe Police Department responded to a drowning at the Ouachita River. Upon arrival, officers were advised that a 15-year-old female subject was swimming with her friends in the river when her friends observed that she had gone underwater and had not resurfaced.

According to authorities, the Monroe Police Department’s dive team responded to the scene and recovered the victim’s remains from the river.

This tragic event deeply saddens everyone in the community, and MPD would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the drowning victim. In an effort to prevent future tragedies like this from happening, MPD would like to remind the public to please not swim in the Ouachita River at this time. The water levels are high, making the river an extremely dangerous place to enter or swim.
Monroe Police Department