FOUR FAMILY MEMBERS PERISH IN APPARENT DROWNING
News Release from Washington Co. Sheriff's Office
Posted on FlashAlert: August 26th, 2014 7:09 PM
August 26, 2014--Three additional family members were recovered from Hagg Lake today. The apparent causes of death were drowning.
At 10:00 a.m. today, the search for additional potential drowning victims resumed. The Washington County Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol was assisted by the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Dive Team, Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol and the Gaston Fire Department with the search and recovery operation.
At 11:48 a.m., divers located Michael Garcia-Ixtacua, 13, near his sister Gabriela Garcia-Ixtacua, 25, about 30 feet off shore in 13 feet deep water. At 12:14 p.m., divers located Jova Ixtacua-Castano, 42, about 40 feet off shore in eight feet deep water. Jova Ixtacua-Castano was found about 15 feet from the others. The boy that was located yesterday was identified as Jeremy Scholl, three years old.
Jova Ixtacua-Castano is the mother of Gabriela Garcia-Ixtacua and Michael Garcia-Ixtacua. Gabriela Garcia-Ixtacua is the mother of Jeremy Scholl. They all lived together in Hillsboro. It was reported the four family members went to the lake on Monday afternoon to enjoy a day of picnicking and swimming when the tragedy occurred.
Sheriff's Detectives found nothing suspicious and no signs of foul play. This appears to be a tragic incident where someone likely got into trouble in the water and others attempted to help them. Sheriff's Detectives are still searching for any answers that will help them understand the events that occurred yesterday evening to cause the deaths.
Henry Hagg Lake will remain closed the remainder of the day as a sign of respect for the family and loved ones. The lake will open as scheduled tomorrow morning for full operations and services.
Sheriff's Marine Patrol Sergeant Michael Alexander said, "Rivers and lakes have hazardous ever-changing bottoms that are dangerous to unsuspecting swimmers. The best way to keep yourself safe while swimming in lakes and rivers is to wear a lifejacket."
The Washington County Medical examiner will conduct autopsies tomorrow to determine the exact cause of death.
Original release below:
Deputies Search for Family of Child that Drowned in Lake
August 26, 2014--Detectives are searching for the family of a child that apparently drowned in Henry Hagg Lake last evening.
On August 25, 2014, at about 6:09 p.m., Sheriff's Deputies were called to the community of Gaston concerning a small child that was found unconscious in the water. It was reported that people pulled the child from the edge of the lake close to the Sain Creek Picnic Area. They performed CPR until Gaston Fire Department arrived.
Sheriff's Deputies arrived and found the child was pronounced deceased. Sheriff's Deputies searched the area but were unable to locate the child's parents or anyone who had any knowledge of the child. Sheriff's Deputies found a beach towel, cooler, shoes and other personal items on the beach close to where the child was found. There was a vehicle located in the parking lot that was registered to the same person whose belongings were found on the beach. There were no witnesses to the incident. Sheriff's Deputies fear there may be additional drowning victims.
The Newberg Fire Department Dive Team responded to assist the Washington County Sheriff's Marine Patrol search the water for any evidence or possible victims. Sheriff's Office Detectives responded to assist with the investigation. The search was suspended at 10:30 p.m. last night and will resume at about 10:00 a.m. Tuesday. Hagg Lake will be completely closed on Tuesday to allow searchers and investigators uninterrupted access to the lake and surrounding area.
The Washington County Medical Examiner responded and reported no obvious signs of trauma associated with the deceased child. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death.
The Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help to assist with this investigation. If you have any information regarding this case, please call the Washington County Sheriff's Office at 503-629-0111.
At 10:00 a.m. today, the search for additional potential drowning victims resumed. The Washington County Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol was assisted by the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Dive Team, Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol and the Gaston Fire Department with the search and recovery operation.
At 11:48 a.m., divers located Michael Garcia-Ixtacua, 13, near his sister Gabriela Garcia-Ixtacua, 25, about 30 feet off shore in 13 feet deep water. At 12:14 p.m., divers located Jova Ixtacua-Castano, 42, about 40 feet off shore in eight feet deep water. Jova Ixtacua-Castano was found about 15 feet from the others. The boy that was located yesterday was identified as Jeremy Scholl, three years old.
Jova Ixtacua-Castano is the mother of Gabriela Garcia-Ixtacua and Michael Garcia-Ixtacua. Gabriela Garcia-Ixtacua is the mother of Jeremy Scholl. They all lived together in Hillsboro. It was reported the four family members went to the lake on Monday afternoon to enjoy a day of picnicking and swimming when the tragedy occurred.
Sheriff's Detectives found nothing suspicious and no signs of foul play. This appears to be a tragic incident where someone likely got into trouble in the water and others attempted to help them. Sheriff's Detectives are still searching for any answers that will help them understand the events that occurred yesterday evening to cause the deaths.
Henry Hagg Lake will remain closed the remainder of the day as a sign of respect for the family and loved ones. The lake will open as scheduled tomorrow morning for full operations and services.
Sheriff's Marine Patrol Sergeant Michael Alexander said, "Rivers and lakes have hazardous ever-changing bottoms that are dangerous to unsuspecting swimmers. The best way to keep yourself safe while swimming in lakes and rivers is to wear a lifejacket."
The Washington County Medical examiner will conduct autopsies tomorrow to determine the exact cause of death.
Original release below:
Deputies Search for Family of Child that Drowned in Lake
August 26, 2014--Detectives are searching for the family of a child that apparently drowned in Henry Hagg Lake last evening.
On August 25, 2014, at about 6:09 p.m., Sheriff's Deputies were called to the community of Gaston concerning a small child that was found unconscious in the water. It was reported that people pulled the child from the edge of the lake close to the Sain Creek Picnic Area. They performed CPR until Gaston Fire Department arrived.
Sheriff's Deputies arrived and found the child was pronounced deceased. Sheriff's Deputies searched the area but were unable to locate the child's parents or anyone who had any knowledge of the child. Sheriff's Deputies found a beach towel, cooler, shoes and other personal items on the beach close to where the child was found. There was a vehicle located in the parking lot that was registered to the same person whose belongings were found on the beach. There were no witnesses to the incident. Sheriff's Deputies fear there may be additional drowning victims.
The Newberg Fire Department Dive Team responded to assist the Washington County Sheriff's Marine Patrol search the water for any evidence or possible victims. Sheriff's Office Detectives responded to assist with the investigation. The search was suspended at 10:30 p.m. last night and will resume at about 10:00 a.m. Tuesday. Hagg Lake will be completely closed on Tuesday to allow searchers and investigators uninterrupted access to the lake and surrounding area.
The Washington County Medical Examiner responded and reported no obvious signs of trauma associated with the deceased child. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death.
The Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help to assist with this investigation. If you have any information regarding this case, please call the Washington County Sheriff's Office at 503-629-0111.
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