Merced County Sheriff’s Water Rescue and Recovery Team quickly responded to the scene and searched for the swimmer from 12:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The search was resumed Monday at about 9 a.m. and Cordero’s body was located about five-and-a-half hours later.
Investigators said they have determined that Cordero knew how to swim. He was not wearing a life jacket and no lifeguard was on duty. Neither alcohol nor drugs are suspected to have contributed to the incident, which is still being investigated.
The San Luis Reservoir is an artificial lake on San Luis Creek that is part of the larger San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area, a California State Park. The park offers many recreational opportunities for fisherman, boaters, campers and picnickers, and is patrolled by California State Park Peace Officers.
