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Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 11:28 PM

Body of missing swimmer found in Lahontan Reservoir

  • 08/30/2023 11:33 PM
Body of missing swimmer found in Lahontan Reservoir

Robert Perea, The Fernley Reporter

The body of a swimmer who disappeared in the water near Beach 30 at the Lahontan State Recreation Area was found Wednesday morning.

Churchill County Sheriff Richard Hickox, Jr. said the body of a Eureka County resident was found by a member of the Fallon/Churchill Fire Department dive team.

Hickox said the Churchill County Sheriff’s Office and Churchill County Search and Rescue responded to Lahontan Tuesday afternoon to assist State Park Rangers in searching for a missing swimmer who had last been seen near Beach 30 swimming toward the shoreline.

Utilizing sonar technology, they found what they called an object of interest on the screen that did not match the surroundings and other images visible on the sonar readout. Members of the Fallon/Churchill Fire Department Dive Team were requested. The divers were unable to locate the subject as the current and waves were pushing them and the boat off course. Shortly after dark the search was suspended until the next morning when visibility was restored, and the winds were calmer.   

Wednesday morning, members of the Churchill County Sheriff’s Office, Churchill County Search and Rescue and the Fallon/Churchill Fire Department Dive team reassembled at Lahontan to resume the search in the area where the unidentified image was observed the evening before. After a short time of searching, a member of the dive team found the missing swimmer near the lake's bottom. 

Hickox said no further details will be released at this time out of respect for the grieving family.  

Upload date: 08/30/2023 11:33 PM
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C Comment author: Carl C. HagenComment text: Maybe there is more to this story than what is reported, but it seems to me that the businesses that are causing this problem ought to be paying for this, or at least a major portion of it. Why does the County have to pay the whole bill? Just my opinion.Comment publication date: 5/7/26, 10:26 AMComment source: Storey County, Tesla partner to extend I-80 Patrick on-rampComment author: Alan ReederComment text: Great guy, laughed easily, had fun with his students, enjoyed our time together at FHS!Comment publication date: 4/23/26, 10:23 PMComment source: Howard David JacksonComment author: Jack & Nancy CookComment text: Wonderful man. Created a precious family with Linda. Will always respect and admire his contribution to teaching at FHS.Comment publication date: 4/18/26, 10:27 AMComment source: Howard David JacksonComment author: JeffDickersonComment text: Very well reported, even though our motion was denied.Comment publication date: 4/15/26, 11:05 AMComment source: Judge allows Fernley City Council to proceed with corrective agenda item in Lau expulsion caseComment author: Todd fossumComment text: Hi my name is todd fossum i'm clarence's stepson, I was wondering if he had any siblings. I think he said he had a sister that just survived cancer. If she can get ahold of me or any buddy, my number is 916. 3 4 3 1 1 7 7.Thank you have a blessed dayComment publication date: 1/16/26, 4:33 PMComment source: Clarence L Shields C Comment author: Carl HagenComment text: So just curious, what is the point of a franchise agreement if it is not exclusive?Comment publication date: 12/15/25, 4:18 PMComment source: Council approves non-exclusive franchise agreement for waste collection
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