Man Drowns at Saguaro Hotel in Palm Springs: Police

Palm Springs, CA– A man who drowned in a Palm Springs hotel pool has been identified as a 39-year-old La Puente resident.

Eric Perez died Sunday afternoon after he was pulled from the bottom of a pool at the Saguaro Hotel, in the 1800 block of East Palm Canyon Drive, according to Palm Springs police.

"The preliminary investigation revealed the death does not appear to be related to criminal activity," said Sgt. William Hutchinson. "Alcohol or drug use will be determined by toxicology results."

Hutchinson said that Perez had gone to the location with friends, who became distracted and did notice him missing as they began chatting at poolside.

Shortly after 5 p.m., they initiated a search to see where the victim had gone and spotted him submerged in the water, prompting them to jump in after him, according to Hutchinson.

The sergeant said that Perez was pulled unconscious from the pool and resuscitation efforts were started. Paramedics arrived moments later and took over attempts to revive him.

He was transported to Desert Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead less than a half-hour later.

– By City News Service.