Officials say investigation into drowning of missing Merced County person

MERCED COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) — The search for a missing person has now become a drowning investigation.

The Merced County Sheriff’s Office said the person was found dead in the Merced River.

The search began late Sunday afternoon near Hatfield State Recreation Area, about twelve kilometers west of Stevinson.

The sheriff’s dive team was called in to assist in the search and finally found the body on Sunday evening.

There is no information yet about the victim’s age or how he got into the water.