The body of missing automotive Journalist David “Davey” Johnson has been found in the Mokelumne River, according to friends and family.
Johnson, 43, was last heard from on June 5 and his belongings were found in Mokelumne Hill, Calif., near the river two days later. A multi-agency search and rescue operation that began on June 8 ended on Monday, but deputies of the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office and its Marine Safety Unit continued looking for him in the area.
The news was released on Twitter by Johnson's friend, Abigail Bassett, who has been acting as an informal spokeswoman for his family during the search:
In a press release on Friday, the Sheriff's office said the body was found near the inlet to Lake Pardee and that it has not been definitively identified, but is believed to be Johnson's. Investigators have said that evidence suggests he was the victim of an accidental drowning and that foul play is not suspected.
Johnson was a well-known writer and photographer whose work appeared in Motorcyclist, Car & Driver and other publications.
Bassett said that Johnson's family will share more information in the coming days and that a date for a memorial service has not yet been set.
This is a developing story, check back for updates