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Missing Soquel Woman Found Dead in Ben Lomond, Sheriff's Office Confirms

Guadalupe Cortez was last seen swimming in the San Lorenzo River on Sunday with two men. Her body was found Monday.

Searchers on Monday found the body of a woman missing since Sunday after she went swimming with two men in the San Lorenzo River in Ben Lomond, a Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman said.

Members of a sheriff's search and rescue team found the body of Guadalupe Cortez, 26, of Soquel, lying in the river at about 3:30 p.m. Monday, spokeswoman Deputy April Skalland said.

Deputies had suspected the woman was Cortez; her identity was confirmed Tuesday morning.

No new details about how she died have been released and investigators have not said if foul play was involved.

Cortez's body was located about an eighth-mile from where one or both of the men last saw her swimming in the river at around 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Skalland said.

The Santa Cruz Sentinel reported the temperature of the water was about 45 degrees and the air temperature was 62 on Saturday.

One of the two men, neither of whom has been identified, reported her missing at 9 a.m. the following morning, Skalland said.

Skalland declined to comment on why it took nearly a day for the man to inform deputies of Cortez's disappearance, saying that the circumstances of her death are still under investigation.

Cortez had left her green 1996 Jeep on Sunday morning in the parking lot of Highlands Park, just east of Highway 9 in Ben Lomond, an unincorporated area in northern Santa Cruz County, deputies said.

She then joined the two men for a swim in the river, which runs along the park's eastern border, deputies said.

About 15 deputies began searching the area where Cortez was seen Monday morning, but did not find her and expanded the search area.

Search and rescue deputies with search dogs linked up with a water team to look for Cortez along the river, Skalland said.

The Santa Cruz County coroner's office is set to perform an examination of Cortez's body to determine the cause of death, Skalland said.

Copyright © 2012 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.

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Jennifer Squires May 23, 2013 at 02:04 pm
Is that where they're digging up the sewer lines? They've had it down to one lane a lot lately, thenRead More cover the holes with steel plates when they're not working (more traffic slow downs as people try to navigate the hazards).
Jane May 23, 2013 at 07:55 am
Southbound on Soquel before Park Avenue.
Steve Westside April 17, 2013 at 05:11 pm
During the SUP/Kayak contest a few weeks ago there were a group of us below the end of the contestRead More event area and after we all (Stand-up and prone paddlers) went to far into the area the organizers just pointed out that we need to stay below the judges booth. After a bit we of course all drifted further up and then someone on land announced that it is a misdemeanor to interfere with a contest. Finally, they sent a guy out to mind us and let us know to not drift above him. All very pleasant and cordial. Except for a few surfers thought the rules did not apply to them and constantly snaked in and paddled up to grab waves. Made everyone our there grabbing a few leftover waves looking like prima donnas. Eventually those incorrigibles left and after the contest ended it was a great afternoon of surfing for everyone.
AdrianaR April 17, 2013 at 04:04 am
Is it me or does there seem to be an excessive amount of us vs them mentality and worse, anger inRead More Santa Cruz these days? I went to a community event not too long ago and it was clearly present amongst a number of the people there, they definitely had a "this is our town not yours" vibe going on. It reminded me of the old Valley go home mentality that rears its head sometimes. I know your post was about sharing the ocean but in a more general sense that easy going chill attitude I love about Santa Cruz seems to be getting lost in too much anger and quite frankly a "Me-ism" and egocenteredness that's a big turnoff.
Dan Young April 16, 2013 at 03:45 pm
Hi, Nigel - I agree with you that there needs to be more understanding between everyone. I grew upRead More boating (lake and ocean) in this area and was taught the 'rules of the road'. As long as everyone abides by the rules and keeps each other safe, I don't care what one rides. I agree that the announcer should have been more aware not only with expressing his personal views but he should have had the experience to see that you needed to take a certain path and were not there trying to catch waves. Ignorance on his part. I kneeboard and body surf (yes, I can stand-up surf, also) and have had my share of run-ins over the years. I don't surf the major breaks anymore unless its really big, which thins out all but the most skilled. These days I try and find a little break away from the crowds (not an easy task) and am happy with a few little peelers here and there.
Sabrina Wilhelm April 4, 2013 at 11:47 pm
I would pay a big fat zero...
Cathy P. April 4, 2013 at 05:54 pm
When I was a teenager you were either a Beatles fan or a Stones fan, you couldn't be both ;) Let'sRead More just say I didn't become a Stones fan until my later years. That being said, I wouldn't pay any amount to see them in concert: too loud, drunk & drugged audience, and the lines are too long to the bathroom! I am glad to see they are still around even though they all are on Medicare now - rofl.
Beverly Young April 4, 2013 at 12:54 pm
A big fat 0!!!!! I couldn't stand the Rolling Stones in the 60's and I really can't stand them now.Read More They should have retired a very long time ago.