August 13, 2026

California man dies after diving into Lake Mohave

National Park Service officials say James B. Robertson, 24, of Culver City jumped into the water at Owl Point Cove just before 6 p.m. Sunday. He surfaced briefly, went underwater again, and did not resurface.

The man's body was recovered about 8:45 p.m. Sunday in 71 feet of water in the lake, which is in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

The National Park Service emergency dispatch was called shortly after the incident. Friends said they thought the victim was "kidding around" when he surfaced briefly after the jump, then went under again. Two companions dove into the water in an unsuccessful attempt to locate him.

Robertsn was on a houseboat trip with friends when the incident occurred, about seven miles north of Cottonwood Cove.

An autopsy was planned by the Mohave County, Ariz. Coroner's office to determine the cause of death.

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