Missing Family's SUV Found Submerged In CA River

LEGGETT, CA — An SUV matching the description of one belonging to the missing Thottapilly family was reportedly found late last week completely submerged in a Mendocino County river.

The Thottapilly family was reportedly traveling from Portland to Santa Clarita, California, last week in their maroon 2016 Honda Pilot. California police authorities said the Thottapilly's family in Santa Clarita expected them Friday after talking with them Thursday, but they never showed up.

On Sunday, the Thottapillys were reported missing.

California Highway Patrol officials on Wednesday identified the Thottapilly's SUV as the same one seen going over a steep embankment on U.S. Highway 101 into the Eel River — near the same area where the Hart family of Washington perished weeks earlier — just after 1 p.m. April 6.

Strong river currents have made recovering the SUV and locating its occupants difficult, CHP officials said.

"Through the collaborated efforts of all the involved agencies we are working to resolve this incident as quickly and safely as possible," CHP Garberville officials wrote on Facebook. "Rescue personnel will be searching the immediate and surrounding areas and constantly evaluating the condition of the river and the weather during the search efforts."

Top photo of Eel River through Redwood Forest via Kevin W A Scott/Shutterstock