The body of an 86-year-old man was found in the California Aqueduct in Lancaster Tuesday.
Investigators have positively identified the body as Minas Khacheryan, who was reported missing by family on Friday, according to the Sheriff’s Information Bureau. His last known whereabouts was fishing at the aqueduct Friday with his 78-year-old brother Grigor, who is still reported as a missing person.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies and personnel from the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner responded to 195th Street West and West Avenue G to a report of the discovery of a body under a bridge around 4 p.m. Monday, according to the Sheriff’s Information Bureau.
The search for Grigor Khacheryan will resume at 7 a.m. Tuesday by the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau, along with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Emergency Services Detail, authorities said.
Approximately two dozen divers will be utilizing sonar and the aqueduct water flow will be controlled to facilitate the search, authorities said.
An autopsy by the Department of Medical Examiner will determine the cause of Minas Khacheryan’s death, who joined his brother in going from Glendale to the aqueduct to fish. Foul play is not suspected.
Divers initially began the search for the brothers in the aqueduct at about 2:30 p.m. Saturday, sheriff’s Deputy M. Chen told City News Service. The search ended later in Saturday afternoon, according to Sgt. Michael Rodriguez of the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau/Missing Persons Unit.