Local man found dead in river after boat towed

A local man was found dead in the river Sunday after his boat was towed in an effort to locate its owner.

On Saturday at around 6:30 pm, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department deputies were flagged down regarding a possible float away vessel located across from the Desert Riviera resort on the Parker Strip. Deputies arrived and found the vessel anchored with no one on or around it. They towed the vessel to nearby resorts in an attempt to find the owner, but were unable to make contact with anyone related to the found vessel. Deputies towed and secured the found vessel.

On Sunday, deputies conducted a follow up investigation as no one had come forward to report their vessel missing. It was later discovered the vessel belonged to an employee of a nearby RV resort, Ulisses Espinosa, 46 of Earp, who had not shown up for work that day. Deputies immediately conducted a search of the area where the vessel was originally located. During the search of the area, the victim was located in approximately 7 feet of water.

San Bernardino County Sheriff Rescue and Buckskin Fire Department divers entered the water and recovered Espinosa. He was pronounced deceased and turned over to the care of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Division.

This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Deputy Steven Cook of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Colorado River Station, at (760) 326-9200. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to use the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463), or you may leave information on the We-Tip website at wetip.com.