Missing Swimmer's Body Recovered From Lake Perris Before Memorial Day

PERRIS, CA —A 20-year-old swimmer drowned at Lake Perris State Recreation Area Thursday, according to state park law enforcement officers. Riverside County Sheriff's Department arrived at the scene to assist, according to a Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department spokesperson, Maggie Cline De La Rosa, crews working with lake lifeguards could not immediately find or retrieve the body.

At approximately 1 p.m., lifeguards at the lake attempted to locate the missing swimmer, now presumed drowned in the vicinity of the north end of the reservoir, according to Lake Perris State Recreation Area officials. His body was recovered around 5 p.m., the same day he went missing, according to State Parks spokesperson John Rowe.

"The victim was located by recovery dive teams and was pronounced deceased on scene," Rowe said. The Riverside County Sheriff's Department Coroner's Bureau has taken the deceased and will be identifying the subject, notifying the next of kin, and determining the cause of death. The investigation is ongoing.

Initially, Riverside County Fire Department crews were sent to the location to assist lifeguards with recovering the victim's body. They could not immediately find the missing swimmer due to poor water visibility.

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