[UPDATE 3:39 p.m.] Searchers Believe They Have Found Body of One of the Missing Thottapilly Family
We’re not going to stop until our resources are at the limit, he said.
The Thottapilly family’s vehicle went into the Eel River on April 5.
We will update as soon as possible.
UPDATE 12:56 p.m.: Sheriff Allman stated that the child’s woman’s body* was located at the Dimmick Overcrossing.
UPDATE 2:57 p.m.: The location is near Andersonia between Cooks Valley and Piercy.
*UPDATE 3:39 p.m.: The Mendocino Sheriff’s Office issued a correction saying that the body was that of an adult female. The press release also states,The body was found on exposed terrain which appeared to have covered by the Eel River within the last few days as a result of a recent weather storm which brought heavy rain to the area.
Identification of the body is pending at this time and an autopsy is anticipated to be conducted on 04-17-2018.
Searchers are continuing to search for the missing family members and their vehicle which is believed to still be submerged somewhere in the Eel River.
UPDATE: Searchers Believe They Have Located Thottapilly Vehicle; Recovery Efforts Underway
Earlier Chapters:
- Vehicle Upside Down in Water by Confusion Hill on 101
- Rescuers Unable to Recover Occupant(s) or Vehicle After It Plunged Into Eel River
- CHP Searched Sunday for Vehicle and Occupant(s) That Disappeared Into the Eel on Friday
- River Still Hasn’t Dropped Enough to Locate Vehicle That Was Swallowed Last Friday
- Dive Teams Sought for Missing People in the Hart Accident off Hwy 1 and the Missing Vehicle That Was Swallowed by the Eel River on Friday
- Multiple Agencies Searching for Vehicle Swallowed by Eel River
- Witness Tells of Vehicle Tipping Onto Two Wheels and Tumbling Over the Bank Into the Eel River Near Confusion Hill North of Leggett; Searchers Scour the River Tuesday
- Motorized Boat and Helicopter Join the Search for Vehicle Submerged in the Eel River
- Relatives of Missing Thottapilly Family Identify Items Found at Eel River Crash Site
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Seven miles! The Eel must be really high. Poor people, so sad. What a terrifying way to go.
This is just so heart wrenching, my husband works with the family’s brother and every time I hear about this tragedy, I sob!
If there is any way to donate to the organizations who are working so hard to find the family, Kym, please let us know.
RIP to the family and huge thanks to all the rescuers (and the witnesses, without whom the rescuers would not have known where to look).
Oh little one, this makes me so sad.
So so sad.. makes me think of driving in Florida. Most folks there carry these tools. They can help slice the seat belt and break the window.
https://www.amazon.com/Value-Pack-Emergency-2-BlueSkyBos/dp/B01A9Z9MFE/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1523651371&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=seat+belt+cutter+window+breaker&psc=1
Emergency personnel carry them.
Prayers for the family.
So sad praying for the family. Its tough time.
This is painfully sad.
Thank you, to all searchers, this must be so difficult and painful.
Please everyone, support you local volunteers. They are here for all of us and deserve our respect and more.
Thank you to everyone searching! At least with this find the family can have some completion, so very sorry for your loss!
If theres anything we can do locally pls let the community know.
Thats quite a distance!! The eel is flowing strong and deep.
Isn’t the area by that crossing where the river bed rises a bit in elevation as it makes that big turn and goes under green bridge?
Should we be keeping an eye out around redway beach for debris or do they think debris wont travel that far?
Ugh all these car accidents around mendo&humboldt almost feels surreal.
Kym this must be so intense for you to be reporting on all this, especially with your amazing journalistic style of being there for the people involved in the story such as this family.
Do you have a fave bodyworker we can pay to come rub your shoulders?
Whenever I think it is hard for me, I think of the first responders who hold people during their last breaths or the families who have lost those they can’t imagine living without. Then I get perspective.
Thank you so much for the consistent compassion you show Kym. You really are a beacon and role model for folks in these hard times.
That is very kind of you. Thank you, Rob. I just try to live up to my mom’s example.
Thank u for the updates… Kym,u are awesome. Means a lot. Victim,s sister
I’ll have a story up soon about the search yesterday. I am so sorry for what your family is going through. Everyone I have met has been lovely in spite of all they are going through.
Thank you Kym. Means a lot…
Here is the latest: https://kymkemp.com/2018/04/15/searchers-believe-they-have-located-thottapilly-vehicle-recovery-efforts-underway/
Hi Kym,
It’s only father and daughter who is recovered right. Someone posted a comment that 3 bodies are recovered. Please confirm.
Thank u for all the support. We all are in a shock.
So so sad ….Praying for the family 💐
Oh my. Poor family. That is a huge distance. I pray that they find the rest of the family and the vehicle. I’m so sorry for your family and friends loss to all of their loved ones may they rest in peace. ♥🌹
I have know words guest prayers for all
Words can’t express the sorrows in our hearts. I pray for all involved, especially the loved ones. Thank you first responders and Kym for your diligence.
The car was found this afternoon under 4 feet of water a half mile from crash site.
https://kymkemp.com/2018/04/15/searchers-believe-they-have-located-thottapilly-vehicle-recovery-efforts-underway/