Tahoe drowning victim dressed only in jeans

By Kathryn Reed

The identity of the man found on the bottom of Lake Tahoe in 7 feet of water by a fishing captain could be released today.

A captain with Tahoe Sportfishing in South Lake Tahoe spotted the man who was wearing only jeans just after 7am Thursday. He called his boss John Shearer, who then notified authorities.

It was close to 12:30pm before divers brought the body of the man to shore at Ski Run Marina. He victim is described as Hispanic or Native American, 25-30 years of age, dark brown short hair, 6-feet and 180-200 pounds.

The Tahoe Queen paddle-wheeler had to cancel two of its cruises, as authorities shut down the marina until about 3pm. No watercraft were able to come or go for most of the day.

Employees with the fishing charter company said Thursday night that the Queen had hand prints near the waterline as though the victim may have tried to climb up.

Police would not say if foul play is involved. The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department is expected to perform an autopsy today.

This is the first drowning of the year at Lake Tahoe. There were two in 2008, seven in 2007, nine in 2006 and eight in 2005.