Full Notification

This past weekend the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office responded to two drowning’s on the Russian River within 30 minutes of each other.

On Saturday July 26, 2014, at approximately 4:00PM, Deputies were dispatched to a male who had been pulled from the river, unresponsive. The man had come to Duncan’s Mills for a day on the Russian River with family. He was kayaking with his brother near the day-use area at Cassini Ranch Campground. The boat tipped over and he went under water. According to family members present, he was not wearing a life vest and did not know how to swim.

The Deputy who responded performed CPR with the assistance of two other people who came to the man’s aid. Unfortunately, the man did not survive and was pronounced dead at the scene. He was identified as Edgar Mejia, a 23 year old from Santa Rosa. It was reported that he had been drinking, but it is unknown if alcohol was a factor in the incident.

On Sunday July 27, 2014 at approximately 4:25PM, Deputies responded for another missing person in the water. A 17 year old male was swimming with family and friends in the Russian River near Guerneville Lodge. The friends swam farther up river while he stayed behind. When friends returned about two hours later they found his sandals and wallet on the beach. They checked the area but could not locate him. There were several people in boats, canoes, rafts, and paddle boards passing by during the time frame, but none of them heard or saw anything alarming.

The Monte Rio Fire Chief and the crew from Russian River Fire arrived on scene with two boats. CHP helicopter also arrived on scene to search the river and the shore. An underwater camera was used and located a body on the bottom of the river, about ten feet deep and 40 feet from the shore, almost directly across from the Guerneville Lodge dock.

Three unidentified good Samaritans jumped into the river to help recover the body. The Sheriff’s Coroner Detective arrived and assumed control of the investigation.

The teen was visiting the area from Texas and was reportedly a good swimmer. Alcohol and drugs are not considered a factor in his death. His name is not released due to his age.

Both cases remain under investigation by the Sonoma county Sheriff’s Office Coroner’s Unit. There is no indication that either party was a victim of foul play. There was nothing suspicious about the deaths, and the toxicology reports are pending the results of the autopsies.

The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office reminds everyone to use extra caution around bodies of water and pools. As the weather heats up and more people make use of the recreational opportunities in the area, please be safe and make smart choices. Never drink alcohol before swimming. Stay out of the water if you drink. Beware of currents, sudden underwater drop-offs and submerged objects. Don’t dive head-first into the water. Always wear a life vest on a boat or if you’re not a strong swimmer. Keep a phone nearby and save the emergency number. Everyone is safer when we look out for one another.

Just last week a Deputy from the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Marine Unit partnered with a Ranger from County Parks for a water safety presentation at the Mark West School District. About 75 students from the aftercare program, along with the school staff members, participated in the event.


Prepared by Sergeant Cecile Focha
PIO / Media Relations
Cases #140726-026, #140726-039



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