Update: Reno man found deceased in Topaz Lake after search

The body of a Reno man missing in Topaz Lake was found on Monday morning, a day after he was last seen jumping to the water 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

“At approximately 9:45 a.m., Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Marine units, diveteam and Nevada Department of Wildlife located and recovered the individual reported missing on Topaz Lake,” Sheriff Dan Coverley said.  

The man was identified as 51-year-old Rodney Mitchell.

“Although drowning is believed to the cause of death, the decedent was taken to the Washoe County Medical Examiner’s office for a definitive cause of death,” Coverley said.

Sheriff’s deputies and East Fork firefighters searched the lake on Sunday afternoon and Monday morning after he reportedly jumped into the water and didn’t come back up around

“When deputies and fire personnel arrived, they actively engaged in search and recovery of the individual who was reported missing,” county spokesman Eric Cachinero said.

A witness on the boat said the man didn’t have a lifejacket on when he dived in. A Mono County Sheriff’s Office boat also aided in the search around the north end of the lake, located in southern Douglas County.

Thunderstorms prevented either Care Flight or CalStar from participating in the search.

The storms may have contributed to the man’s death. A 26-mph wind gust was recorded around the time of the man’s disappearance as thunderstorms arrived in the area, bringing lightning and heavy rain.

It has been two months since a Sparks man was found floating dead in Topaz Lake on May 19, which was also on a windy day.

The 55-year-old appeared to be trying to get a buoy out of the water, according to the Sheriff’s Office at the time.

While not as dangerous as Lake Tahoe, Topaz has claimed several victims over the years, including two Sparks men who drowned when their boat capsized in January 2019.

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A search for a man missing in Topaz Lake resumed on Monday morning.

A Nevada State Police boat was slowly following the north coast as Douglas Sheriff's Marine 7 was transported south to Topaz. 

Sheriff’s deputies and East Fork firefighters searched Topaz Lake on Sunday afternoon after a man reportedly jumped into the water and didn’t come back up around 3:30 p.m.

“When deputies and fire personnel arrived, they actively engaged in search and recovery of the individual who was reported missing,” county spokesman Eric Cachinero said.

A witness on the boat said the man didn’t have a lifejacket on when he dived in. A Mono County Sheriff’s Office boat also aided in the search around the north end of the lake, located in southern Douglas County.

Search and recovery is ongoing and more information will be presented as it becomes available.

Thunderstorms prevented either Care Flight or CalStar from participating in the search.