Body Recovered from Cottonwood Lake

Santa Clara County sheriff’s deputies recovered a body from Cottonwood Lake at Hellyer County Park in San Jose on Sunday after park rangers reported a person in distress in the water, according to the sheriff’s office. The call came in at about 1:40 p.m., and the San Jose Fire Department also responded to the scene, local television outlets reported, citing sheriff’s officials. The sheriff’s office Dive Team and Underwater Search Unit searched the lake and found the body. The person was pronounced dead at 4:11 p.m., and authorities said the identity had not been confirmed. ### When did crews first learn someone was in trouble at the lake? Park rangers were alerted at about 1:40 p.m. Sunday to a person in distress in the water at Cottonwood Lake, according to the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office as cited by NBC Bay Area and ABC7. CBS News Bay Area reported the alert came a little after 1:30 p.m.; the sheriff’s office account carried by other outlets gave the more specific 1:40 p.m. time. (nbcbayarea.com) Cottonwood Lake is part of Hellyer County Park in south San Jose, according to Santa Clara County Parks. The park’s Cottonwood entrance is listed at 996 Hellyer Avenue. ### Which agencies responded at Hellyer County Park? The San Jose Fire Department responded alongside sheriff’s deputies after the distress call, according to NBC Bay Area. (nbcbayarea.com) The sheriff’s office then called in its Dive Team and Underwater Search Unit to search the lake. ABC7, citing the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, described the death as an apparent or possible drowning. (parks.santaclaracounty.gov) SFGATE, also citing the sheriff’s office, reported that rescue crews headed to the scene after the report from the lake. ### What do investigators know about how the person entered the water? The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office said it was unclear why the person was in the lake, according to CBS News Bay Area. (nbcbayarea.com) No public statement in the reports reviewed identified the person, gave an age, or described the circumstances that led up to the incident. (abc7news.com) NBC Bay Area reported that authorities had not yet confirmed the person’s identity on Sunday. ABC7 reported the victim was a man, citing the sheriff’s office, while other outlets referred to the victim more generally as a person. ### Why has the death not been officially classified yet? The Santa Clara County Office of the Medical Examiner-Coroner will determine the cause and manner of death, according to the sheriff’s office statement carried by NBC Bay Area and Telemundo. (cbsnews.com) That means the death had not been formally classified in public reporting as of Sunday night and Monday morning. (nbcbayarea.com) The sheriff’s office said the investigation was continuing. No agency statement in the reports reviewed gave a timetable for the autopsy or for the release of the person’s name. ### What should readers watch for next? The next official update is expected from the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner, which will identify the person and determine the cause and manner of death. (nbcbayarea.com) The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation into the circumstances of Sunday’s incident at Cottonwood Lake.