NewsLocal NewsIn Your NeighborhoodKern River Valley

Actions

15-year-old girl, Los Angeles man become latest victims of Kern River

Ester Isabel Villanueva Torres and Carlos Gonzales Jr. both drowned in separate incidents, as Bakersfield police investigate the circumstances
15-year-old girl, LA man become latest victims of Kern River
Kern River (FILE)
Posted
and last updated

KERN RIVER VALLEY, Calif. (KERO) — A 15-year-old Bakersfield girl and a 46-year-old Los Angeles man have become the latest victims of the deadly Kern River.

Ester Isabel Villanueva Torres, the teenage victim, drowned on July 8 after entering the water near River View Park in Bakersfield.

Search teams recovered her body around 5 p.m. the same day.

Meanwhile, 46-year-old Carlos Gonzales Jr. was found unresponsive in the river on July 12.

The Kern County Coroner has confirmed both deaths as drownings.

These deaths add to the toll of more than 340 lives claimed by the Kern River over the years, highlighting ongoing safety concerns in our community.

The Bakersfield Police Department is handling the investigations into the circumstances surrounding both incidents.

This story was reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.


Stay in Touch with Us Anytime, Anywhere:

,

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Tuesday

07/15/2025

Clear

-° / 72°

0%

Wednesday

07/16/2025

Clear

99° / 70°

0%

Thursday

07/17/2025

Mostly Clear

98° / 73°

0%

Friday

07/18/2025

Clear

99° / 74°

0%

Saturday

07/19/2025

Clear

100° / 73°

0%

Sunday

07/20/2025

Clear

101° / 72°

0%

Monday

07/21/2025

Mostly Clear

100° / 69°

0%

Tuesday

07/22/2025

Clear

96° / 67°

0%