LIVERMORE — The body of a 71-year-old Tracy fisherman, the subject of a search since Tuesday after he fell into the Delta-Mendota Canal in rural Livermore, was found Friday in the canal about 15 miles away, in San Joaquin County, authorities said.
Authorities said his name and cause of death will be released by the San Joaquin County Coroner’s Office.
The man was found floating in the canal near Tracy about 10 a.m. Friday by Alameda County deputies, who had been leading the search, and canal personnel.
Alameda County Sheriff’s Sgt. Ray Kelly said that even though officials think the man drowned, an autopsy will be done to confirm that and determine if any medical factors contributed to his death.
Deputies had been told that the man regularly fishes at the canal and returns home by 10 p.m. When he did not return home Monday night, his family went to the canal early Tuesday and found his car in a parking lot but no sign of him.
Alameda County deputies, using drones and dogs, then began searching for the man early Tuesday. Because of the swift current, divers were unable to get into the canal.
Kelly said the man’s cap was found floating in the canal Tuesday about three miles downstream from where officials think he slipped or fell in. His tackle box was also found, he said.