Body found in California Aqueduct south of Los Banos identified as missing fisherman

The Merced County Sheriff Coroner’s Office has identified the body of a man recovered from the California Aqueduct as Amado Miranda-Vasquez, 39, of Redwood City, according to Deputy Daryl Allen.

Authorities said Miranda-Vasquez went missing on Jan. 23, when he reportedly lost his footing and fell into the aqueduct while fishing with others in the area of Mervel Avenue and Ortigalita Road, south of Los Banos.

The Merced County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team responded to the location but was unable to immediately locate him.

The dive team and aviation units continued searching for Miranda-Vasquez several days after he went missing, focusing efforts downstream of where he entered the water.

About two weeks later on Feb. 6, the dive team responded to the area of Mervel Avenue and Ortigalita Road for a report of a body floating in the water under a bridge.

Deputies recovered Miranda-Vasquez’s body from the aqueduct. According to Allen, the coroner’s office has determined Miranda-Vasquez’s cause of death to be drowning

“It was determined that it was an accident,” Allen said.

Full toxicology results are pending, according to authorities.

This story was originally published February 15, 2022 at 1:02 PM.