Merced County authorities recover body from California Aqueduct near Santa Nella

Authorities are investigating the death of a man whose body was recovered from the California Aqueduct in Merced County.

Merced County sheriff’s deputies responded Saturday afternoon to McCabe Road near the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery because of a body at the California Aqueduct, according to Deputy Alexandra Britton.

The Sheriff Department’s dive team recovered the body of a man who was not immediately identified. According to Britton, authorities believe the death may be related to a California Highway Patrol case out of Modesto involving a man who reportedly shot himself.

Authorities said it is unclear if the Merced County Sheriff Coroner’s Office or the Stanislaus County Sheriff Coroner’s Office will be handling the investigation.