Body of Isaiah Sanchez Recovered at Cachuma Lake
The search is now over for the 22-year-old Oxnard man who drowned at Cachuma Lake.
The family of Isaiah Sanchez is grieving the loss of the young man, but are appreciative for the closure.
It’s been 10 days since Sanchez tried to swim to shore from a broken down boat he was on with his girlfriend’s brother and uncle on July 11.
A fisherman found the body in the water just after 12 p.m. Monday near the area he was last seen.
“It good to be here at this moment. Now we can move on and the family can find some rest and peace and not have to worry about Isaiah not being found,” said Richard Muos, Isaiah’s uncle.
Nearly 60 family members had been scouring the lake shore and water searching for Sanchez.
Sanchez was identified by two tattoos on his arms.
“For me it is closure. We still got to deal with the mom so hopefully she doesn’t really break down,” said Joaquin Rodriguez, the boyfriend of Isaiah’s mother.
Park rangers, sheriff’s deputies, a helicopter and dive team searched with no luck in and around the lake.
“A very long 10 days. I lost count after the second day. I just want to thank everybody,” said Rodriguez.
When the body was brought back to shore around 3 p.m., the family surrounded the coroner’s truck and said a prayer before it drove away.
“Family is important. I can’t express how much family and friendship, how important that is in a situation like this. The love, the expression of support is tremendous,” said Muos.
An autopsy is scheduled Tuesday and the results should be done in a couple days.
The body will be taken back to the Imperial Valley where a funeral will most likely take place next weekend.
The family thanked everyone who searched for their loved one for so long.
The family has set up a memorial fund for the 22-year-old’s funeral at RaboBank and is accepting donations.
RaboBank
Account no. 253313005
