A Carmel Valley man died near Garland Ranch Regional Park while reportedly searching for his lost dog during the atmospheric river over the weekend.
Steven Sherwood, 77, was found in the Carmel River by the Monterey County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team on Feb. 14. The Sheriff’s Office did not comment on his cause of death.
Deputies and rangers with the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District were made aware that a 77-year-old man was missing and last known to be in the Garland Ranch Regional Park.
Family members said he was walking in the park around 9:30 a.m. and lost his dog. Sherwood told family members he would be searching for his dog, and was last heard from at about 10:30 a.m. Around 11:00 a.m. nearby hikers found his dog and returned it home safely.
Due to where Sherwood was found, first responders had to use water recovery efforts, coordinating with the Monterey Regional Fire District, Carmel Valley CERT team and using California Highway Patrol’s H70 helicopter.