Sacramento County coroner asks for help identifying man found in American River
The Sacramento County coroner is asking for help identifying a man whose body was found in the American River over the weekend.
Sacramento Metro Fire said the man was believed to have drowned on Sunday afternoon.
A person walking along the trail near the river noticed what appeared to be a body floating in the water and called 911, Sac Metro Fire said at the time.
The coroner said Monday that two people witnessed the body in the water.
There were no signs of trauma and fingerprints did not help determine the man’s identity. He also did not have identifying documents on him.
The official cause and manner of death are pending toxicology and other test results, the coroner’s office said.
Sac Fire officials initially said the man appeared to be in his 30s. The coroner’s office said in an update that he could have been anywhere from 20 to 40 years old. The office shared an image produced with the help of a sketch artist and AI.
The man is believed to have been either Hispanic, Asian or mixed race, 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing 175 pounds. He had brown eyes, long black hair with a black mustache with a beard and goatee.
Anyone with information about the person’s identity is urged to contact the coroner’s office at 916-874-9320 or by email at deputycoroner@saccounty.gov.
More details about the recovery
“This was a full response for multiple boats, jet skis, our helicopter. Our helicopter was able to confirm that we did have a body in the water,” Sacramento Metro Fire District Captain Mark Nunez said.
The incident left hikers in the area shaken.
“Not what I was expecting when I was coming out here. Like I wasn’t expecting to see anything. I mean anything like that. So just, shocking I guess,” said Gwynndolyn Hansen, who was walking along the American River.
Nikki Hansen, who was also walking along the river, reflected on the tragedy.
“[…] to hear this tragic story is just so heartbreaking,” she said.
Sacramento Metro Fire officials said there was no suspicion of foul play in the drowning.
“Looked like he might have been just out for a hike along the trails along here. No type of a water vessel or a kayak or a raft or anything of that nature,” Nunez said.
Officials said the victim was wearing full clothing, including shoes, and had a backpack on when fire crews pulled him from the water.
“That was part of the reason we were able, actually able to get him out was being able to hook him with that backpack to bring him up,” Nunez said.
Officials noted that drownings are not common in this part of the Arden-Arcade area.
“This is our third drowning for, metro fire. In the region. Obviously a few more, but I don’t know the exact total,” Nunez said.
“Just to have a tragedy and you don’t really know what happened. It’s really kind of unnerving,” Nikki Hansen said.
Sacramento Metro Fire is urging people to always wear life jackets when entering the river.
The man’s death is under investigation by Sacramento County park rangers.
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