June 2, 2025 – Kern County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at approximately 6:20 p.m., Kern County Sheriff’s Office deputies assigned to the Kern Valley Substation and Kern Valley Search and Rescue were dispatched to the Old Isabella Road Recreation Site for a report of a possible drowning in Lake Isabella.

Deputies received information that an adult male had been swimming in the lake without a flotation device and went missing. Search and Rescue teams conducted an extensive search of the area for several hours but were unable to locate the individual before nightfall forced the suspension of search operations.

On Sunday, June 1, 2025, Kern Valley Search and Rescue resumed operations alongside the Kern County Sheriff’s Dive Team. During the continued search effort, the missing individual was located deceased in the lake. The decedent was recovered and turned over to the Coroner’s Office.

The identity of the deceased will be released by Kern County Coroner's Office at a later date.

The Kern County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public that wearing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved flotation device is a critical safety measure during recreation in or near water, especially in areas with strong currents or unpredictable conditions such as Lake Isabella. Life jackets save lives—please wear one.

For updates or further information, please contact the Kern County Sheriff’s Office.

Source: Kern County Sheriff’s Office