Woman, 26, who drowned in Tucson's Rillito River last month identified

A woman who drowned in Tucson’s Rillito River last month during widespread flash flooding has been identified as 26-year-old Alicia Walker.

Law enforcement officials have not said how Walker ended up in the river, only that her drowning is being handled as a death investigation, with no foul play suspected. Walker was pulled from the river at Camp Lowell and Swan roads.

The Tucson Fire Department said that in a span of 90 minutes on June 21, rescue workers responded to more than 25 monsoon calls. Fifteen of those calls involved stranded drivers or those struck in swift moving water, including that of (Walker), who was pulled from the Rillito, the fire department said.

The storm dropped 2 to 3 inches of rain in some areas of the metro region, including parts of the Catalina Foothills, according to the National Weather Service and to Tucsonans posting photos and videos on X.

Walker’s obituary describes her as a life-long Tucson resident, full of creativity with a zest for life, love and culture.

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“Her passions were boundless,” it reads. “She found joy and inspiration in the arts, reveling in vibrant colors, captivating music, and the graceful movements of dance. She had a gift for capturing the beauty of the world through her camera lens.”

Walker enjoyed the little things in life, like vinyl records, vintage clothing, stickers, gems, shoes and tattoos. She was a cat mom, and endeared herself to many, her obituary reads.

She is survived by her father, William “Bill” Charles Griggs, and proceeded in death by her mother, Jeannie Louise Walker.