Carson City, Ca. (InEDC) July 8, 2023 — Update, Monday, 11 a.m.
Monday, Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong said results from James Eugene Martin’s autopsy conducted by Washoe County were still pending. He said no foul play was suspected.
“The preliminary assessment was there was no unexpected injuries at the time of removal,” Furlong said.
Search efforts continued for Robert White on Monday. The two men had been living in the Mound House area without a physical address before kayaking the river on July 2, Furlong said.
“There was another volunteer search done yesterday (Sunday) that yielded no substantial information,” Furlong said.
He said a group of experienced kayakers was volunteering to search the river, though CCSO did not request the group.
“I’m not worried about experienced kayakers,” he said. “They tend to wear the proper gear and have protective measures. They kayak in groups and tend to follow safety protocols more effectively than individuals.”
Furlong said it appeared Martin and White lacked safety equipment.
“The information that has been given to us suggests both kayakers did not have substantial experience to do that trip,” he said.
Authorities were using drones in the search for White, checking an area from Deer Run Bridge all the way down to Dayton. However, drones couldn’t penetrate thick brush, Furlong said.
“We are exploring the possibility of doing a walk of the river, which is inherently risky, to see if anybody can be found in the brush along the river,” he said.
Furlong noted authorities found old, discarded kayaks and other trash “making it difficult for us to associate specific items with the case.”
Anyone with information on White’s whereabouts is asked to call Carson City Dispatch at (775) 887-2677.
UPDATE, Saturday 8 p.m.
The Carson City Sheriff’s Office said the person found dead in the Carson River on Saturday has been identified as James Eugene Martin, 59, of Mound House.
Martin’s body was lodged in debris in the water, near dangerous rapids, and required specialized personnel and equipment for recovery, CCSO said in a news release.
Robert White, reported missing with Martin, has not been located. Search efforts continue.
UPDATE, 5:38 p.m. July 8
Saturday evening, the Carson City Sheriff’s Office said a body found in Brunswick Canyon was tentatively identified as one of two kayakers who had been missing for nearly a week.
Sheriff Ken Furlong said a swift water rescue team from the Carson City Fire Department recovered the body. Authorities were withholding the name of the deceased pending notification of next of kin. The body was being transported to Washoe County for an autopsy.
Wednesday, authorities found the vehicle of the two men who were reported missing since July 2. CCSO identified the men as James Martin and Robert (Bobby) White.
Search and Rescue and other emergency personnel conducted searches the following day from Deer Run Bridge down the Carson River to Dayton but had no luck finding the men.
Furlong said a kayaker from El Dorado County who wanted to help in the search discovered the body around noon Saturday and called authorities.
“All teams are out of the canyon,” Furlong said Saturday.
In May, the fire department trained for swift water rescue in Brunswick Canyon and at the time warned residents about “strainers,” or submerged objects like tree branches that could trap people who entered the current.
“As a general safety reminder, the Carson area experienced a high volume of rain and snowfall this year, and Carson River waters are abnormally high and fast,” CCSO said earlier this week.
