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Search For Missing Valencia Family Continues After Vehicle Plunges Into River

A missing Valencia family of four is still being searched for by law enforcement and rescue workers after an SUV matching the description of their vehicle was seen plunging into a Northern California river.


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The Thottapilly family went missing on April 5 after a road trip from Portland, Oregon, and was expected to visit a family member’s home in San Jose in Northern California, but they never came.

Sheriff’s officials confirmed the debris from the SUV confirms it belongs to the missing Valencia family, according to the Associated Press.

The Valencia family includes the father, Sandeep, 42; the mother, Soumya, 38; their son, Siddhant, 12; and their daughter, Saachi, 9.

A missing person report was filed with the San Jose Police Department the day after they were expected to arrive at the San Jose home.

Related: Missing Valencia Family Of Four Disappears In Northern California

On April 5, a Honda Pilot, maroon in color, was reported to have gone off the road into the Eel River in Mendocino County in Northern California.

Due to weather conditions, the Eel River was flowing at a high rate of speed, and officials were not able to search the river.

So far, search crews from been unsuccessful in locating the Honda vehicle or any occupants from the vehicle.

However, rescue workers were able to locate numerous items that appeared to have come from a vehicle body and interior.  Some of these items were consistent with a Honda vehicle, according to CHP.

Also located were various personal items that were consistent with a family traveling on vacation.

Several items have been positively identified, by family members, as belonging to the Thottapilly family.

These items were of a personal nature and will not be described further at this time, but it does indicate that the vehicle that was seen going into the river was possibly that of the Thottapilly family.
The Sheriff’s office and the CHP agreed to do continuous evaluations as the river levels receded.

On April 10, and again on April 11, it was determined the water levels would allow the insertion of Swift Water Rescue Teams to conduct a bank search as well as some limited “probing,” a technique using a long pole being probed underwater to see if the vehicle or anything metallic could be located.

Related: Law Enforcement Searching For SUV Matching Description Of Missing Valencia Family

The teams accessed the river in inflatable boats and on River Boards, small floatation devices designed to allow full access under overhanging trees or tight areas not accessible by boat.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office also assisted with the use of their jet boat with side scan sonar system.

Between the two search days, the teams were able to cover approximately 12 miles of river bank.    The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office has been in contact with numerous other county dive teams and technical rescue responders that can be called upon, when the vehicle is located, to assist with recovery of the vehicle.

Once recovered, the California Highway Patrol will conduct a complete mechanical inspection of the vehicle as part of the accident investigation.

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Search For Missing Valencia Family Continues After Vehicle Plunges Into River

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About Louie Diaz

Louie was born and raised in Santa Clarita. At the age of two Louie lost his vision due to a brain tumor. However, Louie doesn't let blindness stop him from doing what ever it is he wants to accomplish. Growing up some of his favorite hobbies were wood working, fishing and riding bikes. Louie graduated from College of the Canyon in December of 2017, with a Broadcast Journalism degree. Growing up Louie has always wanted to be a fire fighter or a police officer, but because of his blindness Louie knew that wouldn't work. Louie has always loved listening to police and fire radio traffic, using a scanner, and he figured if he was going to listen to the scanner so much, he should do something with it.