Search and rescue crews find body of missing swimmer in Lake Tahoe

Authorities have found the body of a missing swimmer who was last seen in Lake Tahoe on Tuesday evening.

Ian Morlang was found by cadaver dogs and a remote-operated vehicle around 3 p.m. on Thursday, according to the city of South Lake Tahoe, which added that his family has been notified of his death.

Morlang, 25, and two friends rented a boat from the Tahoe Keys Marina on Tuesday and left the boat to swim near Lily Beach.

The South Lake Tahoe Police Department was alerted around 5 p.m. Tuesday after the currents and wind moved the boat far from the swimmers and they were separated, according to a police news release. The marine unit responded and rescued two of the swimmers, who were wearing life vests, but was unable to locate Morlang, who was not wearing a life vest.

The two rescued swimmers told investigators that Morlang went under the water and was not seen again.

The marine unit initiated a search and rescue operation for Morlang and was aided by the U.S. Coast Guard, the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Tahoe Douglas Fire, South Tahoe Fire Rescue and the CalStar medical helicopter. The crews searched until dark, but did not find Morlang.

The U.S. Coast Guard and a Navy rescue helicopter from Fallon Naval Base continued the search during the night. On Wednesday, the search continued with El Dorado sheriff’s officials search and rescue K-9s and divers. Douglas County sheriff’s deputies searched with a remote-operated underwater vehicle.

This story was originally published August 27, 2020 at 11:33 AM.