Robert Lewis Mercer was seen arriving at Lake Palmdale in Palmdale about 7 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5, and the sheriff’s department had described him as possibly suicidal and circulated his photo.
An empty boat was found floating on the lake several hours later, prompting firefighters, a dive crew, and a helicopter crew to respond to the area . A search was conducted, including dive and sonar operations, but it was suspended late Wednesday.
The search resumed Thursday morning, and shortly after noon the sheriff’s Special Enforcement Bureau tweeted that the “LASD sonar and dive operation has concluded. Missing boater has been recovered from the lake. Investigation continuing with @LACoroner.”
Lake Palmdale is a 586-acre artificial lake completed in 1924. It is part of the California State Water Project and is fed by the California Aqueduct.
No further information on the incident was immediately available.
UPDATE: The coroner’s office has confirmed that the body was that of Robert Lewis Mercer.
Previous related story: Possibly suicidal man sought at Lake Palmdale
–
Bob says
His family wasn’t concerned enough to stay by his side…. My family sucks too! AT this point he’s dead and I don’t think it matters if he jumped out of the boat or fell out of the boat.
Ron says
Where is THIS LAKE? Is this the Fin and Feather LAKE? I didn’t know we had a Lake Palmdale.
Fab says
Located west of Una Lake.
Dive Boat Captain says
He probably fell overboard.
David C Thompson says
Lake Palmdale didn’t exist until the mid 60’s.
Laughing says
Lake Palmdale is an artificial lake completed in 1924 along with the nearby Little Rock Reservoir created by Little Rock Dam.
I believe there used to be one of the fault ponds there though. Which is why the Lebec camel corp used it as a rest stop on the way to Fort Tejon (thus Ft Tejon Rd)