More human remains have been discovered at a Nevada lake just days after a decomposing body was found in a metal barrel stuck in the muddy shoreline as the lake’s water levels fall amid a severe drought.
The National Park Service (NPS) announced that skeletal remains were discovered Saturday afternoon at Callville Bay in the Lake Mead Recreation Area, according to NBC News. After the find, the area was roped off, and the Clark County Medical Examiner launched an investigation into the cause of death.
The NPS added that it had “no further information is available at this time.”
Lake Mead is the nation’s largest reservoir.
More than a week ago, another body was discovered by a group of boaters who noticed what appeared to be a skeleton in a metal barrel stuck in mud as they returned to shore. It is believed that the original body dates back to the 1980s.
“We were docking our boat to go home and heard a woman scream,” Shawna Hollister, who was at the lake, said. “My husband walked over and found the body. His shirt and belt were the only thing we could see over his decomposing bones.”
Ahead of the investigation, local police anticipated a complex probe.
“It’s going to be a very difficult case,” Las Vegas Metro police homicide Lt. Ray Spencer told the 8 News Now investigation team. “I would say there is a very good chance as the water level drops that we are going to find additional human remains.”
“I think anybody can understand there are probably more bodies that have been dumped in Lake Mead, it’s just a matter of, are we able to recover those?” he asked.
After initial investigations, police suspect that the body found in the barrel was a homicide victim.
“We believe this is a homicide as a result of a gunshot wound,” Spencer announced in a press release.
Lake Mead, crucial to a system providing water to millions of homes, has hit its lowest water level since its formation during the 1930s, when it was created as a byproduct of the Hoover Dam’s construction. It provides water to several states, including Arizona, California, and Colorado.
“With more than 750 miles of shoreline, you can enjoy a day at the beach, take a boat out and disappear for hours or nestle into a cove to try to catch a big one,” the National Park Service explains on its website about visiting Lake Mead.