Two bodies were pulled from the water near the Otay River in Palm City today, turning a routine midday rescue call into a grim recovery operation in San Diego's South Bay. Crews worked to bring the remains to shore while investigators locked down the scene. The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office will examine the bodies and release the names once the victims are identified and next of kin are notified.
Midday call turns into recovery
San Diego Fire-Rescue said it received a water-rescue call around noon and rushed to the Palm City stretch of the river along with San Diego lifeguards and Chula Vista police, according to FOX5 San Diego. Crews shifted from rescue to recovery and brought two bodies out of the water at about 1 PM, the outlet reported. Investigators then cordoned off the area so they could document the scene and continue recovery work. Authorities have not yet released any information about who the victims are.
Otay watershed's grim track record
The Otay watershed has seen difficult recoveries before, and local dive teams are used to working in murky, challenging conditions in the river and nearby reservoirs. In February 2025, a fisherman discovered a body in Lower Otay Lake and San Diego police launched an investigation into what they described as a suspicious death, according to ABC10. That earlier case highlighted how quickly a simple recovery in the area can turn into a complex case for detectives and dive crews.
Investigation still in early stages
Investigators say the San Diego County Medical Examiner will release more details about the two people recovered from the river once identification is confirmed and causes of death are determined, according to FOX5 San Diego. Officials have not said whether they suspect foul play at this point. Anyone who saw activity near the river around midday Friday or has information that could help the case is urged to contact local law enforcement.
Authorities temporarily closed off parts of the riverbank while they processed the scene, and residents were asked to steer clear so investigators could work without interruption. Hoodline will continue to track public updates and the medical examiner's findings as more information becomes available.
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