NorCal Man Drowns After Disappearing From Houseboat on Lake Oroville

The body of a 41-year-old Roseville man was recovered in Lake Oroville Saturday after the man disappeared from the boat in the early hours of the morning.

Officers of the Butte County Sheriff’s Office pronounced John Tobias dead on the scene after they found his body 200-feet underwater near the Bidwell Canyon Marina.

According to officials, the group on the boat were drinking heavily on Friday night and around 2:50 am, a friend heard a splash into the water. After not being able to locate Tobias in the water, a call was made to the sheriff’s office.

Officers arrived at the scene with Marine Unit and Search and Rescue teams, and searched above the water and surrounding areas, including using a sonar-equipped Remotely Operated Vehicle. The body was discovered around 5 am.

It’s another tragedy on a Northern California lake this summer. While these accidents are not rare, they are always devastating to the friends and families of the victim, as well as the community as a whole. Please use caution while engaging in recreational activities on the lake and consume alcohol in a responsible way.