Man Missing Since Aug. 7 Found Dead In Lake Travis

Austin TX

17 September, 2021

4:28 PM

Description

AUSTIN, TX — The body of a man who has been missing for more than a month was found at the bottom of Lake Travis, authorities said Friday. The man's body was recovered Thursday by sonar at a depth of 110 feet, officials said. The Travis County Sheriff's Office said recovering the man's body was dangerous and challenging due to brush, trees and a steep ledge located in that area of the lake. Clara Tuma, a spokesperson for the Lower Colorado River Authority, said Lake Travis is a "flooded canyon" and encompasses 19,044 acres and is more than 175 feet deep. She said the lake is similar to the land seen on the shore and is filled with trees, steep drop offs, cliffs and gradually sloping areas. "Swimmers can be in a few feet of water in one location and in 100 feet of water a few steps further out," Tuma said. An autopsy on the man was conducted Friday morning. Results to determine his cause of death and identity are pending. Lake deputies said they received reports of a missing swimmer in the main channel of Lake Travis, between Starnes Island and North Shore, at 6:53 p.m. on Aug. 7. According to witnesses, two men were treading water, waiting for friends to get off a large floating tube, so they could get on. One of the men, who was not wearing a life jacket, was last seen several feet from the tube. Witnesses said a wave went over the swimmer and he never resurfaced. Kristen Dark, a spokesperson for the department, said a total of 10 swimmers have been reported missing on Lake Travis this year. This is the highest number of missing swimmers the department has seen in over a decade, based on data provided by TCSO. All swimmers who have gone missing this year have been recovered. The only years to have a high number of missing swimmers were 2018 with eight missing (one who still remains missing) and 2011 with eight missing/recovered, according to data. "TCSO continues to remind swimmers and boaters to make safety a priority and wear their life jackets," officials said. The department has created a lake safety video to help swimmers learn how to stay safe on the lake. RELATED COVERAGE: Woman's Body Recovered Near Hurst Creek In Lake Travis 2 Men Who Went Missing On Lake Travis Recovered Husband, Wife's Bodies Recovered From Lake Travis Body Of Donna Man Found In Lake Travis 1 Dead, 1 Still Missing Near Hudson Bend On Lake Travis