Hunt for Mob Victims at Calif. Reservoir
D O N P E D R O D A M, Calif., March 13 -- The FBI is searching a California reservoir for possible Mob victims.
The Don Pedro reservoir is so large that it has 160 miles of shoreline. The nearest town is miles away.
So few people who know the lake were shocked to hear the news — the reservoir seemed like the perfect location to hide such horrors.
"I imagine if you look under bridges all over the state, you'll find bodies," said area resident Debbie DeRosa. "It wouldn't surprise me a bit."
Linked to October Discovery?
A body was recovered from the New Melones Reservoir in October. That discovery may be linked to the current investigation — but so far, the FBI isn't saying much — only that it was following up on information from another FBI office that's been busy investigating organized crime.
More than 20 divers were in the water on Monday, working with sonar equipment in a grisly search for a body or bodies that may have been dumped in the reservoir by mobsters.
So far, no bodies have been found, according to The Associated Press. However, agent Nick Rossi said it's believed that at least one body is in the water.
Why Here?
The idea that organized crime has apparently reached the foothills has some people rattled.
"You usually see that in big cities — New York and SanFrancisco," said Don Murray of Groveland "Here? Why come here to do something like that?"
But these hills have known tragedy before. The reservoir is just about a mile from where the body of 15-year-old Julie Sund was discovered. Sund, her mother, Carole, and family friend Silvina Pelosso disappeared while hiking in Yosemite three years ago.
The other two bodies have not been recovered, but the FBI believes they may be in the same area. ABC affiliate KXTV in Sacramento contributed to this report.
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