The Body of 68-year-old Michael Harold Belhumeur of Upper Lake was located on Saturday, Jan. 24, at approximately 3:15 p.m.
On Dec. 30, 2014 at approximately 6:15 p.m. Belhumeur was reported missing by a family member. Relatives told authorities that Belhumeur had gone Kayaking earlier in the day and had not returned home.
A Lake County Sheriff’s Boat Patrol Deputy conducting a shoreline search for Belhumeur on Saturday afternoon. He noticed an object in the water close to the shore. As he was able to get closer, the deputy determined the object was a body, which was positively identified as being Belhumeur.
The deputy was searching an area east of Ceago Winery, which is located in the 5000 block of East Highway 20 in Nice. A California Fish and Wildlife Officer was in the area and assisted the deputy with the recovery. Family members were notified of the recovery. An autopsy will be scheduled for sometime next week, to determine the exact cause of death.
The search for Belhumeur had been ongoing since the time he was reported missing. A water search was conducted the night of the initial report by Lake Count Marine Patrol Deputies and a shore search was conducted by patrol deputies. The search went well into the night, which was hampered by high winds and waves. Early the next morning the search resumed, by water, land and air. The searchers included Lake County Marine Patrol, a California Highway Patrol Helicopter and Lake County Search and Rescue members.
While conducting a grid search on the water, a Marine Patrol Deputy located a blue kayak, a life jacket and a paddle, which were positively identified as belonging to Belhumeur.
