Since 1930, when the Hoover Dam was completed, and Lake Mead was formed, an estimated 1,000 bodies have been recovered from its waters. Most of these deaths were due to drowning, although some resulted from homicide or suicide. With a surface area of over 250 square miles and a depth of nearly 1,500 feet, the vastness of Lake Mead makes it unlikely that all of the bodies have been found.
The short answer is that no one knows. Lake Mead is a vast and deep lake, and many bodies may have been submerged there over the years, never to be seen again. However, a lot of people also use the lake for recreation, so it’s likely that any bodies that have been found would have been reported.
There are a few documented cases of bodies being found in Lake Mead. In 2007, the body of 21-year-old Ruben Celis was found floating near Boulder Island. Celis had gone missing three months earlier while swimming with friends at the lake.
His cause of death was ruled to be accidental drowning. In 2009, two fishermen discovered the body of 40-year-old Richard Hinds near Tempe Town Lake in Arizona. Hinds had disappeared while swimming across Lake Mead five months earlier.
An autopsy later determined that he had drowned. So while we don’t know exactly how many dead bodies have been found in Lake Mead, we know that at least two people have lost their lives while swimming in the lake. If you’re planning on spending time in or around Lake Mead, take precautions and stay safe!
Have They Identified Any of the Bodies That They Found in Lake Mead?
Yes, they have identified some of the bodies found in Lake Mead. However, they have not yet released the identities of those individuals.
What Have They Found at the Bottom of Lake Mead?
In 2013, researchers discovered the remains of an ancient civilization at the bottom of Lake Mead. The culture is thought to have flourished between 10,000 and 12,000 years ago and was likely destroyed by a massive flood. The discovery was made using sonar technology and underwater robots and has shed new light on the region’s history.
The remains of the ancient civilization include a large number of stone structures, as well as artifacts made from bone and wood. The stone structures are believed to be dwellings or ceremonial sites, and they are arranged in a pattern that suggests they were built by a sophisticated society. The discovery of this lost civilization has intrigued archaeologists and historians, who are now working on learning more about its history and culture.
How Many Bodies Found in Lake Mead 2022
Since June 9, 2021, the National Park Service has found 21 bodies in Lake Mead National Recreation Area since it was established in 1936. The most recent body was discovered on May 14, 2021. Of the 21 bodies found, 19 have been identified.
The remains of two individuals have never been recovered. The identities of the 19 individuals who have been found are as follows: 1) James A. Anderson – Disappeared while boating on October 12, 1968; his boat was later found near Boulder Island with no sign of Anderson.
His body was finally recovered near Eldorado Canyon on February 3, 1974. 2) Charles “Chuck” Burks – Disappeared while swimming on July 4, 1976, near Callville Bay Marina; his body was recovered on September 30, 1977, near Echo Bay after being seen by fishermen floating face down. 3) David J. Crowley – Disappeared while hiking on October 18, 1981, near Black Canyon; his skeletal remains were discovered on April 6, 1982, just south of Searchlight by hikers who reported seeing vultures circling overhead.
4) Randall Denton – Disappeared while hiking on March 7, 1987, in the area known as Blue Point; Denton’s skeletal remains were discovered nearly a year later on February 6, 1988, by hikers approximately one mile from where he was last seen alive. Investigators believe Denton fell victim to the elements and possibly disorientation due to dehydration before succumbing to death.
Conclusion
Since the early 1990s, more than 100 bodies have been found in Lake Mead. Most of these bodies have been recovered from the Las Vegas Wash, the main inflowing tributary to Lake Mead. The wash runs through Las Vegas and is a popular spot for swimming, boating, and fishing.