Tulsa Family Mourning After Loved One Recovered From Arkansas River

A Tulsa family says firefighters recovered the body of their loved one this afternoon after searching the Arkansas River for hours. The medical examiner still needs to officially confirm the victim's identity but the family of Rafael Orosco says they already know it's him.

"At least we know. We know they found him," said Alma Orosco.

38-year-old Rafael Orosco was a husband, father, brother, and friend.

"He was a believer. And we believe he is in a better place right now," said Alma.

Osage SkyNews 6 HD took Tulsa fire captain Nick Wilson on board to help search for Orosco in the Arkansas River. Firefighters carefully walked through the water, with guidance from above and working together they found a man's body after about an hour in the air.

"You can imagine what it is to search a river by foot," said District Chief John Steiner. "The helicopter, the News On 6, I've gotta say it, was instrumental in us being able to locate the victim."

The family's relief of finding him comes after hours of searching last night and early this morning. According to the family, Fishing wasn't something Orosco's family says he did often but he did recently on a road trip.

"He liked it so much that when he came here he was talking about fishing all the time. And when he got the chance, he came. And this happens. This was the first time he went fishing in Tulsa," said Alma.

Orosco leaves behind his wife, three children, and friends from church.

"He was a lovely dad, and husband, and he will always be in our hearts," said Alma.

The family is working on putting together a Go Fund Me page to help with funeral expenses.