BODEGA BAY, Calif. — A 29-year-old California man who had been missing for two weeks has been found dead inside his submerged Tesla near Schoolhouse Beach, the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety (RPDPS) confirmed Tuesday.
The man has been identified as Kale Gonick-Hallows, who was last seen on Saturday, January 5. His vehicle had been reported in the Bodega Bay area around the time of his disappearance, prompting an extensive search.
The tragic discovery was made on Friday, January 19, when CAL FIRE LNU personnel first located a Tesla near the shoreline. Investigators from RPDPS then requested assistance from the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Helicopter H-1.
During an aerial search of the surrounding coastal area, the helicopter crew spotted a blue Tesla submerged in the water that matched the description of Gonick-Hallows’ vehicle.
A multi-agency recovery effort was immediately launched, involving personnel from:
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety
CAL FIRE
Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office
California State Parks Lifeguards
Together, they worked to recover the vehicle from the water. Officials confirmed that a deceased individual was found inside, seated in the driver’s seat.
On Tuesday, January 20, authorities positively identified the individual as Kale Gonick-Hallows, bringing a tragic conclusion to the two-week search for the missing man.
In a press release, the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety stated that there is currently no indication of foul play and that the incident does not appear to be suspicious. The exact circumstances leading to the vehicle entering the water remain under investigation, and further details have not been released.
PEOPLE reached out to the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety for additional comment, but no response was immediately available.
The discovery marks a somber end to the search for Gonick-Hallows, whose family and friends had been hoping for his safe return. Community members and authorities alike are mourning the loss as the investigation continues to determine what led to the tragic incident.