FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date:  September 9, 2022                                     

Contact: Christine Duplan, Public Information Officer

(970) 423-8901

Christine.Duplan@summitcountyco.gov

DILLON RESERVOIR DROWNING VICTIMS LOCATED AND RECOVERED 

SUMMIT COUNTY, CO – On Thursday evening, September 9, 2022, at approximately 7:20 pm, the Summit County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call at the Heaton Bay Camp Ground of two intoxicated males driving around in the campground. Deputies found the suspected vehicle unoccupied. Deputies initially searched the area for over an hour both in the campground, and by boat on the lake, but were unable to locate the males.

A short time later, Deputies were called back to the campground. When Deputies arrived, they were directed to an area of the beach where two folded piles of clothes were located along with some other personal items. This is not an uncommon finding on the beaches surrounding the Dillon Reservoir, where someone has chosen to go swimming. Also, the area of the lake where these articles were found is known to be shallow. In the darkness, Deputies again searched the beach, campground and surrounding areas, still unable able to locate two males. Deputies coordinated a plan with the campground host should the males return overnight and formed a more detailed contingency plan to search the lake and surrounding area in the daylight.

Early Friday morning, when there was no indication that the males had returned overnight, an extensive land, air and water search was initiated by the Summit County Sheriff’s Office, Summit County Water Rescue Team and the Summit County Rescue Group. Searchers utilized land based teams, boats, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS Drones) and underwater Remoted Operated Vehicles (ROV Drone).

Friday at approximately 1:00pm, the drowned bodies of the two men were located in about 15 feet of water, approximately 100 feet off the shore where the men had left their clothes. The shallow beach is met buy a steep drop off where the two men were located. The men were recovered from the lake and transferred to the Summit County Coroner’s Office.

“This is a tragic loss of two lives. I’m incredibly proud of the men and women who participated in the search and recovery efforts and so grateful that we have the necessary training and equipment to do so. Our thoughts and prayers for all involved,” said Sheriff Jaime FitzSimons

The Summit County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the drowning. The identification of the men, and cause and manner of death, will be released by the Summit County Coroner’s Office.

This is an active investigation. No further information is available for release.

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