Two bodies retrieved from Fallen Leaf Lake near Tahoe
UPDATE: Bruce's Legacy, the underwater search and recovery team from Wisconsin, was at Fallen Leaf Lake recently, searching the water for a missing person. What they found was more than expected when bodies of both a man and woman were recovered.
"We believe they've been there for a considerable amount of time," Lt. Matthew Foxworthy of the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office told South Tahoe Now.
The man's body was being held at the bottom of Fallen Leaf Lake by an anchor tied by rope around him, but at this time Foxworthy said they don't know the circumstances, whether it was accidental or something else. The woman's body was not weighted down.
"We don't have all the answers," said Foxworthy.
The bodies have not been officially identified and this is a continuing investigation. EDSO detectives have been working on the case for the last few weeks since the remains were found. Autopsies are being performed to determine names, ages and toxicology which may take several more weeks.
Bruce's Legacy was at Lake Tahoe twice this summer, once to locate missing kayaker Dan Pham in August as well as UNR Football player Mark Ma who went missing after paddle boarding with teammates on June 10, 2016. The recovery team found his body on July 31, 2017.
"El Dorado County has not provided them funds, however they have conducted searches for known missing persons in the area," said Foxworthy of Bruce's Legacy.
The Wisconsin-based non-profit was created after a local firefighter, Bruce Cormican, lost his life attempting a swift water rescue in 1995. They travel the country bringing resolution and closure to families whose loved ones have died in lakes, reservoirs, rivers and other water areas.
Foxworthy said EDSO has spoken with Bruce's Legacy when they're in the area at the request of a loved one, telling them of other unsolved missing person cases.
The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office issued a press release Thursday:
Bruce’s Legacy, an underwater search and recovery team from Wisconsin, came to Fallen Leaf Lake to assist The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office with a deep water search for two missing people.
The first went missing in the summer of 1996. A 21-year-old male was reported to have drowned in Fallen Leaf Lake while boating, his body was never recovered. The second went missing in 2001. A female was reported to have drowned in the lake and her body was also never recovered.
On August 29, 2017, Bruce’s Legacy used a Side Scan Sonar to locate several potential sites where the drowning victims could be located. They then used an underwater rover to visibly search each of those locations. During the search, they located the body of an adult female that was similar to that of the missing female from 2001. The body was recovered from the lake and sent to the Sacramento County Coroner for an Autopsy. DNA samples were sent to The California Department of Justice Crime Lab for identification. There was no indication of foul play. We have not received the results of the DNA testing.
On October 27, 2017, El Dorado County Sheriff’s Detectives and Bruce’s Legacy returned to Fallen Leaf Lake to search for the male that went missing in 1996. After several hours of searching, an adult male’s body was located. The body had a rope tied around the lower portion of the legs. A small anchor was tied to the end of the rope.
When the male body was taken from the lake, it was soon evident that it did not match the physical description of the male that went missing in 1996. The body looked to have been in the lake for many years. It was apparent that we had located a body that we had not known of, prior to his recovery.The body was sent to the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office for a Forensic Autopsy. DNA samples were sent to The California Department of Justice Crime Lab for possible identification. At this point, the cause and manner of death has not been determined. This is an ongoing investigation and it is not known if this is a case of homicide or suicide.
Bruce’s Legacy has continued their search for the 1996 missing male and as of this date he has not been located.
These are ongoing investigations and it could take several months to determine the identities of the bodies that were recovered.
— See SouthTahoeNow.com for this and other stories.
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