TULARE COUNTY, Calif. — The Tulare County Sheriff's Office announced that they have recovered the body of a 16-year-old boy from Strathmore that went missing on May 12. He was last seen in an area commonly referred to as the Stairs.
"With the assistance of California Office of Emergency Services cadaver K9's, the search was successful and his body was recovered at approximately 7 p.m. [Tuesday] evening."
The victim's body was found about a half mile downstream from where he was last seen.
High water initially hindered the search.
"We searched by air and analyzed water flows daily since the boy went missing," explained Lt. Kevin Kemmerling of the Tulare County Sheriff's Office. "We purposely picked [Tuesday] as the best opportunity for a succesful recovery mission and all the stars aligned. With some great work by our personnel, the reduced flow and assistance of the K9's, we were able to bring closure."
The identify of the victim has not been released at this time.
