[UPDATE] Possible Drowning Remains Under Investigation

[Updated on Monday, May 21 at 11:15 a.m.]

The continued search for a man who who was last seen and heard yelling for help in a nearby drainage pond Sunday morning has been suspended due to rain. The pond is located just behind the 600 block of Radford Terrace, in Leesburg.

On Monday, neighbors told Leesburg Patch that they knew nothing more of the alleged incident. One neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous, said that the pond is "filthy" and that no one should be near it. Shopping carts, articles of clothing, beer bottles and bags could be seen in and around the water. Signs are posted on the property, which state that trespassers are not allowed.

[Updated on Sunday, May 20 at 8:55 p.m.]

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Dive Team concluded their search Sunday evening following a 911 call that came in at 11:39 a.m. Witnesses say that a man was seen and heard yelling for help from a drainage pond, about 20-feet-deep, located west of the Leesburg Bypass and south of Battlefield Parkway, in Leesburg.

Leesburg Police Lt. Brian Rourke said Sunday evening that the search has been ongoing since units arrived on the scene. At this time no one has been found, he said, but that doesn't mean they're giving up. 

"We do have several witnesses who did see a man in the water who appeared to be struggling and then there came a point in time when they went in to get a telephone to call 911 where they broke visual contact," Rourke said. "When they returned they didn’t see him. So based on that information we have to reasonably believe that someone was in the water and that’s what we’re checking."

Loudoun County Fire and Rescue personnel were also dispatched to the scene to help with Sunday's search. 

Rourke said that everyone searched the perimeter of the pond looking for tackle boxes, bicycles, or anything else that would be indicative of someone who had been near the pond. As of sunset, nothing had been found.

Rourke said that there have not been any missing person complaints since the initial 911 call was made.

"Officers have canvassed this immediate neighborhood and documented who we were able to make contact with and which residents we didn’t make contact with," Rourke said, as well as the complex located on the other side of the pond, across from Route 15. 

Sunday's investigation concluded shortly after 8:35 p.m. Everyone will regroup first thing in the morning, Rourke said, to discuss which steps should be taken next.

Original Story:

An investigation was conducted by the Leesburg Police Department on Sunday, May 20 after someone had reported seeing a man in a drainage pond who was calling for help. The pond was west of the Leesburg Bypass and south of Battlefield Parkway in the northeast area of Leesburg.  

Dispatchers took the call at 11:39 a.m. and Loudoun County Fire and Rescue personnel were dispatched to the scene. The caller told dispatchers he saw a man in the drainage pond calling for help.   

While the witness was on the phone, he told dispatchers he could no longer hear the victim yelling. He could only describe the person as an adult male. The caller also told dispatchers that he saw rescue units arriving on scene.   

Officers arrived on the scene at 11:42 a.m. but did not find anyone in the water. So far, there are no witnesses who saw the man submerge or leave the pond.  

Officers and rescue personnel canvassed the area to look for any victims or possible witnesses to help determine what happened. Loudoun County Fire and Rescue personnel also searched by boat.  

The Leesburg Police Department continued to search for victims and identify witnesses to this event. The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office Dive Team has been on the scene to assist with this investigation. 

Anyone with information is urged to call 703-771-4500 immediately.