• Hector Rios, a 57-year-old kayaker from Wichita, was found dead in the Mulberry River in Franklin County, Arkansas, after being missing for five days.
• Rios went missing on May 3rd while kayaking with a group, and his body was discovered on May 8th on the riverbank.
• The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and Franklin County search and rescue team were involved in the search and recovery efforts, and an autopsy will determine the cause of death.

Hector Rios, a 57-year-old optometrist from Wichita, Kansas, went missing on Saturday, May 3, 2025, while kayaking on the Mulberry River in Arkansas. A search and rescue operation was launched, and on Thursday, May 8, 2025, his body was discovered by the Franklin County search and rescue team. The body was found on the riverbank in Franklin County. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) confirmed the discovery. An autopsy is scheduled to determine the official cause of death.

• What: The body of Hector Rios, a missing kayaker, was found in the Mulberry River.
• Who: Hector Rios (deceased), Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Franklin County search and rescue team.
• When: Rios went missing on May 3, 2025, and his body was found on May 8, 2025, around 4 p.m.
• Where: Mulberry River in Franklin County, Arkansas, specifically north of Mill Creek and near an area called 'the shoe'.

The discovery of Hector Rios' body concludes a five-day search effort. The collaboration between the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the Franklin County search and rescue team was crucial in locating the body. The recovery of Rios' phone and kayak aided in narrowing the search area, demonstrating the importance of personal belongings in search efforts. The autopsy will provide critical information regarding the cause of death, which will be important for the family and for safety considerations for future kayakers.

We found his phone and were able to see the last photos he took... Our game wardens are familiar with the area. They matched the photos with the terrain in the area and that’s where the search was conducted.

The recovery of Hector Rios' body offers a measure of peace to his family and the Wichita community, concluding a trying period. The coordinated efforts of search and rescue teams underscore the vital role of swift, collaborative responses in missing person incidents. While the pending autopsy aims to clarify the circumstances of his death, this event brings to light the inherent risks of kayaking, especially on rivers like the Mulberry, which can be deceptively challenging. It highlights the critical importance of adhering to safety guidelines, including wearing a life jacket – which Rios was reportedly not wearing – checking river conditions and weather forecasts, and avoiding solo trips. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder for both seasoned kayakers and beginners to prioritize safety training, utilize appropriate gear, and respect the power of the river to prevent future incidents.