[Update: PR from TCSAR] BREAKING: Baby Oliver Has Been Found in Trinity River, Says Volunteer Diver Juan Heredia

Shortly after 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6, veteran recovery diver Juan Heredia announced on social media that he had located the body of 9-month-old Oliver Evergreen Cox, the infant swept away in the Trinity River following a tragic car accident along Highway 299 near Big Flat last week.

Redheaded Blackbelt reached out to Heredia, who confirmed the heartbreaking discovery. Overcome with emotion, Heredia said he would speak more at a later time.

This is both devastating and relieving news for the young parents and the community, who have been holding out hope for closure since the early morning hours of May 1, when the couple’s vehicle plunged into the cold, fast-moving river. Despite their efforts to free their son from his car seat, Oliver was pulled away by the current. Though the vehicle was later recovered, Oliver was not inside.

Heredia, who volunteers his time through the nonprofit Angel Recovery Dive Team, returned to the crash site, determined to find Baby Oliver. His work brought an end to a painful chapter, offering a small measure of peace amid an overwhelming loss.

We will continue to follow this story and provide updates as more information becomes available.

Note: This article has been updated to reflect that today is Tuesday, May 6, not Monday, May 6, as stated in the previous version of this article.

Update: Those wanting to donate to Baby Oliver’s family in their time of need can do so on their GoFundMe.

Earlier: Tragedy on the Trinity: Ongoing Search for Infant Swept Away in River Crash

Update 6:04 p.m.:

Press release from Trinity County Search and Rescue-

On May 6, 2025, search efforts continued in the area of Big Flat, as they related to Oliver Cox, the missing infant lost in the Trinity River during a vehicle collision on May 1, 2025.

During the search efforts, an out of the area Diver who had traveled to the location to assist in the search, located Oliver deceased and submerged in the Trinity River.
Deputies who were in the area searching for Oliver were contacted and responded to the scene.

Oliver was removed from the river and his family notified.

Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Oliver.

The Trinity County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all the search teams, who assisted in returning Oliver to his family.

Agencies involved:

Trinity County Sheriff’s Office
Shasta County Sheriff Dive Team
Trinity County Search and Rescue
Cal OES
California Highway Patrol
United States Coast Guard
CalFire

Earlier:

•  [UPDATE 9:23 a.m.: 9-Month-Old Still Not Found] Infant Missing After Vehicle Plunges into Trinity River Early This Morning
• [Update: Baby Oliver Recovered] Tragedy on the Trinity: Ongoing Search for Infant Swept Away in River Crash