Thursday, November 21, 2024

Hiker’s Body Discovered Near Lake Mendocino Spillway; Medical Complications Suspected

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The following is a press release issued by the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office:


The opening of the Lake Mendocino spillway [Photo by Matt LaFever]

On 09-01-2024 at approximately 9:21 P.M., deputies from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the area of the Lake Mendocino Spillway accessed from Rafello Drive in Ukiah, CA for a coroner’s investigation.  

Upon arrival, deputies learned that a passerby had observed an unresponsive female in the bushes near a hiking trail. The passerby summoned emergency medical assistance for the unresponsive subject.  Medical personnel arrived on scene and the female was ultimately pronounced deceased. 

Deputies responded to conduct a coroner’s investigation and identified the female as 29-year-old Rocio Lupian-Lopez from Ukiah, CA.  While investigating this case, a family member of Lupian-Lopez arrived in the area.  The family member advised they were searching for Lupian-Lopez, as she had not returned from her walk.  Lupian-Lopez’s legal next of kin was notified of her death during this coroner’s investigation. 

Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office detectives also responded to assist with the coroner’s investigation.  Investigators learned Lupian-Lopez had recent medical complications which are believed to have contributed to her unexpected death.  Sheriff’s Office deputies and detectives conducted a thorough investigation, and foul play is not suspected. 

A post-mortem examination is scheduled for later in the week, but the official manner and cause of death will not be released until the autopsy report is finalized. 

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Anyone with information related to this coroner’s investigation is encouraged to contact the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center at 707-463-4086.  Information can also be provided anonymously by calling the non-emergency tip line at 707-234-2100. 

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MendoFever Staff
MendoFever Staff
Editor's Note: Whenever an article's byline reads "MendoFever Staff", the contents of that article were not composed by any of our reporters. Types of writing that will be attributed to "MendoFever Staff" include press releases, letters to the editor, op-eds, obituaries— essentially writing that is not produced by a reporter.

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