Yesterday at Hellyer County Park in San Jose turned grim when crews pulled a body from Cottonwood Lake after park rangers were alerted to a person in the water, according to the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies, the sheriff’s dive team, and the San Jose Fire Department searched the lake, and the person was later pronounced dead at 4:11 PM, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Officials have not confirmed the individual’s identity, and the county medical examiner will conduct an autopsy.
The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office shared details of the response on its Facebook page, noting that park rangers were alerted around 1:40 PM and that the agency’s Underwater Search Unit and dive team coordinated the recovery. In the same post, the office extended condolences to the individual’s family and loved ones.
Search and Recovery at Cottonwood Lake
Deputies, San Jose firefighters and county park rangers all joined the effort at Cottonwood Lake, with the sheriff’s dive team ultimately locating the body in the water, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The outlet also reported that authorities had not yet publicly identified the person.
Park Background and What Comes Next
Hellyer County Park spans 178 acres along the Coyote Creek Parkway, with Cottonwood Lake serving as a central attraction where fishing is allowed year-round, per Santa Clara County Parks. The Office of the Medical Examiner-Coroner will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death, officials told NBC Bay Area.
The sheriff’s office said it offers its condolences to the person’s family and loved ones, and investigators plan to release additional details after the coroner’s findings, according to the agency’s statement.
