Unconfirmed Social Media Post Alleges Body Discovery at MacArthur Park Lake, Citing Absence from Citizen App

A social media post by user "EIE" on August 16, 2025, has circulated an unverified claim regarding the discovery of another deceased individual at a lake referred to as "#methfentanylpark." The tweet expressed concern over the alleged incident, stating, > "Wait. Was there another dead body found at #methfentanylpark lake today? I can’t find the listing on citizen but it shows up on this tweet." The post highlights the immediate public interest and reliance on digital platforms for local incident reporting, even in the absence of official confirmation.

The hashtag "#methfentanylpark" is widely understood to be a derogatory reference to MacArthur Park in Los Angeles, an area long associated with significant public safety challenges, including drug activity and homelessness. The park's lake has unfortunately been the site of multiple body discoveries over the years. Notably, in June 2024, authorities confirmed the finding of a 28-year-old man's body in the lake, leading to two arrests after surveillance footage reportedly showed individuals dragging the body into the water.

The tweet's author specifically noted the absence of the alleged incident on the Citizen app, a popular mobile application designed to provide real-time, location-based safety alerts. The Citizen app aggregates information from police and fire scanner traffic, 911 calls, and user-submitted reports, aiming to keep residents informed about local emergencies. Users frequently turn to the app for immediate updates on incidents ranging from crimes to accidents, often before official news outlets report them.

However, the Citizen app has faced scrutiny regarding the verification of its reports and its potential to contribute to public anxiety. Critics point to instances where initial, unconfirmed reports have caused undue alarm or, in rare cases, led to misidentification of individuals. The app's reliance on crowdsourced information and rapid dissemination means that not all reported incidents are immediately confirmed by official sources, creating a gap that can lead to confusion or the spread of unverified claims, as potentially seen in the recent tweet.

While the specific claim made in the August 16, 2025, tweet remains unconfirmed by official channels, the post underscores the persistent safety concerns surrounding MacArthur Park and the evolving landscape of real-time public information dissemination through social media and citizen-reporting applications. The incident highlights the ongoing challenge of distinguishing verified facts from unconfirmed reports in the digital age, particularly concerning sensitive local events.