Leila Faraji and 7-Year-Old Daughter Rosa Faraji Dead After Being Swept Away by Flood Waters Near Bixby, Oklahoma: Family Outing Ends in Tragedy Amid Rising Waters and Failed Crossing Attempt
Tulsa County, OK – What began as a simple family outing turned into an unthinkable tragedy this past weekend, claiming the lives of 46-year-old Leila Seyed Faraji and her 7-year-old daughter Rosa Faraji, after their vehicle was swept away by powerful floodwaters near Bixby, Oklahoma.
The Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office has now officially confirmed the recovery of both bodies. The body of Rosa Faraji was found at approximately 5:00 p.m. Monday, April 21, in the Arkansas River near Leonard, roughly six miles downstream from the site where their vehicle was last seen. Earlier that same day, at around 9:00 a.m., search crews had already recovered the body of her mother, Leila Faraji, from the same general vicinity.
The tragic discovery concluded an exhaustive, multi-agency search that lasted more than 48 hours and involved coordinated efforts from law enforcement, search-and-rescue teams, and local volunteers.
A Family’s Final Moments: What We Know
According to investigators with the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO), the Faraji family—consisting of Leila, her husband (whose identity has not been released to the media out of respect for privacy), and their two daughters—had been visiting the outskirts of Bixby over the weekend to explore the rural landscape and enjoy a springtime drive.
What should have been a quiet day of bonding and leisure was interrupted by severe weather and rapidly rising water levels throughout the region. Officials report that during their return trip, the family vehicle mistakenly turned onto a rural backroad that included a low-lying bridge spanning a creek swollen by days of heavy rainfall.
“They thought they could make it through,” said Casey Roebuck, Communications Director for the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office. “Unfortunately, the vehicle was overtaken by the water.”
Initial reports suggest the vehicle became trapped in a swift current as it attempted to cross the flooded bridge. The rushing water quickly lifted and carried the car downstream, disabling it and trapping the occupants inside.
Only two members of the family—the father and the couple’s second daughter, whose age has not been disclosed—were able to escape. The precise details of how they got out of the vehicle and made it to safety remain under investigation, but they were found soaked, injured, and disoriented along the riverbank by first responders shortly after the vehicle went missing.
The family reportedly called 911 shortly after being swept into the water, sparking an immediate emergency response.
The Search: A Race Against Time and Nature
From the moment the call came in, search-and-rescue teams began mobilizing to locate the missing mother and child. Local and state agencies, including Oklahoma Task Force 1, the Tulsa Police Department, and Bixby Fire and Rescue, worked in concert with volunteers from the community to conduct a massive search effort.
The search included:
- Aerial reconnaissance via helicopters and drones,
- Ground units on foot, scouring the muddy banks of the Arkansas River and nearby streams,
- Water-based recovery teams, utilizing sonar and dive teams,
- Canine search teams trained to detect human scent both in air and in water,
- Thermal imaging equipment, to detect signs of body heat in the thick underbrush and water.
“The terrain was extremely challenging,” Roebuck explained. “We were dealing with fast-moving currents, debris in the water, mud, and thick brush. It was dangerous work, but every agency involved treated it as a mission to bring someone’s family members home.”
Over 60 people were involved at any given time during the peak of the search operation.
Despite the heartbreaking outcome, authorities emphasized the importance of closure for the family.
“This is the worst possible result,” Roebuck continued. “But at the very least, we’re grateful we could return Rosa and Leila to their loved ones. They don’t have to keep wondering. They can begin the process of healing.”
Remembering Leila and Rosa Faraji
While the public details surrounding the Faraji family are still emerging, friends and neighbors have begun to share tributes to both mother and daughter, painting a portrait of two lives full of warmth, intelligence, and kindness.
Leila Faraji, originally from San Diego, California, had relocated to Oklahoma nearly a decade ago after marrying her husband, a civil engineer. Friends described her as deeply spiritual, passionate about education, and a loving, involved mother.
“She had a heart so big, she made everyone feel like family,” said family friend Nasreen Kamali. “Her home was always open, and her arms were always ready to hug you. She was the kind of person who showed up at your door with soup if you were sick—no questions asked.”
Leila was a former biology teacher who later became involved in local volunteer initiatives, including mentoring young girls interested in STEM fields. She had a background in environmental science and was said to be deeply concerned about climate change and water conservation—an irony not lost on those who knew her, considering the manner of her death.
Rosa, only seven years old, was described as bright, creative, and filled with energy. She loved painting, dressing up as superheroes, and helping her mom cook. At school, she was known as “the sunshine girl”—always smiling, always ready to include others.
“She was the kind of kid who made a classroom better just by being there,” said one of her teachers, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “Losing her feels like losing a little light.”
The family was part of the local Persian-American community and active in interfaith outreach efforts. Leila had recently helped organize a Nowruz (Persian New Year) celebration at a local community center, inviting neighbors from all backgrounds.
“She built bridges,” said Kamali. “It’s bitterly painful that she died trying to cross one.”
Floodwaters and Hidden Dangers: A Growing Risk in Oklahoma
The incident has also reignited a conversation about the dangers of flash flooding in Oklahoma, especially in rural areas where roads often pass through flood-prone zones with minimal signage or barriers.
Meteorologists from the National Weather Service had issued flood warnings over the weekend, noting that several creeks and tributaries were at risk of overflowing. Experts say it takes as little as 12 inches of flowing water to carry away a vehicle.
“Most people don’t realize how powerful water is,” said meteorologist Craig Daley from the NWS Tulsa office. “And often, the road underneath is gone before you even see the danger.”
This specific crossing was not equipped with flood warning gates or a barricade, and while it was marked as a low-lying area, the family may not have recognized the danger in time.
County engineers have said that updating every rural crossing with proper flood detection systems would cost millions of dollars, but this tragedy may fuel new calls for infrastructure improvements.
An Emotional Toll and the Road Ahead for Survivors
The emotional aftermath for the surviving members of the Faraji family is expected to be profound.
“You have a family of four that, in a matter of seconds, became a family of two,” Roebuck said. “They’re now mourning the loss of a mother and a child. Our hearts absolutely go out to them.”
Crisis counselors have been made available through the Red Cross and local religious organizations. Friends of the family have started a memorial fund to assist with funeral expenses and provide support for the surviving daughter, who is believed to be around 10 years old.
“We’re surrounding them with as much love as we can,” said Kamali. “But grief like this doesn’t go away. It’s a scar that stays.”
The family has expressed their desire to honor both Leila and Rosa in a culturally respectful manner, and plans for a memorial service are currently being finalized. The family has asked for privacy but expressed gratitude for the outpouring of love and support.
A Community in Mourning, a State Searching for Solutions
As the news spreads, condolences have poured in from community leaders, local officials, and strangers moved by the tragedy. Oklahoma Governor Sarah Morgan issued a statement Monday evening:
“The loss of Leila and young Rosa Faraji is a heartbreaking reminder of the power of nature and the fragility of life. My thoughts and prayers are with the Faraji family and all who loved them. We must commit ourselves to preventing such tragedies in the future.”
The incident is being reviewed by multiple agencies to determine if additional safety measures could have made a difference.
In the meantime, a small riverside memorial has already begun to take shape near the site of the recovery, with flowers, handwritten notes, and a pair of children’s shoes placed along the water’s edge.
“I didn’t know them,” one local woman said through tears, placing a candle on the bank. “But I have a daughter too. This could have been any of us.”
If you would like to support the Faraji family, a verified GoFundMe link has been set up by friends. Proceeds will go toward funeral expenses and counseling services.
Please remember: Never attempt to cross a flooded roadway. Turn around—don’t drown.
