Body Found in Tempe Town Lake Confirmed to be Willie Jigba

The Tempe Police Department announced last night that the body found in Tempe Town Lake last week has been positively identified as Willie Jigba, a Tempe man reported missing more than two weeks ago.On Monday, authorities tentatively identified the body as Jigba's. Yesterday, the medical examiner confirmed through fingerprint analysis...

By James King

February 2, 2011

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "18478561",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "16759093",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759092",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759094",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        }
      ]

The Tempe Police Department announced last night that the body found in Tempe Town Lake last week has been positively identified as Willie Jigba, a Tempe man reported missing more than two weeks ago.

On Monday, authorities tentatively identified the body as Jigba's. Yesterday, the medical examiner confirmed through fingerprint analysis that it's him.

Last Friday, the body was found floating in the lake just outside of a search area dive crews had been investigating two days prior to finding the body.

Tempe police say there are no signs of trauma on the body and preliminary findings are consistent with a drowning.

Jigba was last seen leaving a party in the 600 block of East Weber Drive in Tempe on January 15. Jigba couldn't find a ride and left the party alone. His path home took him directly past Tempe Town Lake, and he hasn't been heard from since.

Jigba was supposed to start a new job the next day, but never showed up. His family, Tempe police say, reported him missing that night.

Police say they're treating the case as a "death investigation," and say there is nothing to suggest foul play.

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Phoenix, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.