News Release

Identity Confirmed of Human Skeletal Remains in Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Date: August 25, 2022

Release Date: August 25, 2022

Contact: [e-mail] 

IDENTITY CONFIRMED OF HUMAN SKELETAL REMAINS IN LAKE MEAD NATIONAL RECREATION AREA

BOULDER CITY, Nev. – The Clark County coroner’s office has confirmed the identity of the human skeletal remains discovered on May 7 at Callville Bay in Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

The deceased, Thomas P. Erndt, was a 42-year-old male who reportedly drowned on Aug. 2, 2002. Identification was made possible through DNA analysis.

This corroborates a witness report to park rangers on the same date of a male seen swimming without a life jacket near Callville Bay who was struggling out in the water.

For media inquiries related to the identification of descendants in Lake Mead Recreation Area, please contact the Clark County Coroner/Medical Examiner Public Information Officer, Dan Kulin at [e-mail] .

 

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Lake Mead National Recreation Area is the only national park minutes from Las Vegas that offers Joshua trees, slot canyons and night skies illuminated by the Milky Way. The park’s rocks are as red as fire and the mountains are purple majesties. Lake Mead is the country’s first and largest national recreation area and the fifth most visited national park in the country. Follow us at www.nps.gov/lake or on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.