Police investigation opens after body found in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A wildlife photographer out taking photos Saturday morning found the remains of a person in the snowy meadow along Trout Creek in South Lake Tahoe.

The South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) responded to the area behind U.S. Bank and Rite Aid after receiving a call from the photographer just before 9:30 a.m. on January 22, 2022.

According to SLTPD Sgt. Doug Sentell, at this point they are unsure if the deceased person is male or female, how long they have been in the snow, and how they died.

An investigation has been opened and the body has been sent for a forensic autopsy.

Sentell said there was no identification on the person and they were partially buried in the snow. He said the deceased person has been exposed to the elements and animal activity and they are unsure if fingerprints will able to be determined by the autopsy.

It is possible the person died in the heavy snowfall of Christmas week, or even before, and the recent sunny days have caused snow and ice to melt.

The photographer had been in the area of the meadow and saw animals in a spot and went to see what was attracting them to that area. When he saw what he thought was a body he called the police.