Amid search for diver, Sheriff’s Office says body has been recovered at Millerton Lake

The latest: Diver who died at Millerton Lake identified as Fresno-area neurologist

After two days of searching for a missing diver, sheriff’s deputies announced Sunday that a body has been recovered at Millerton Lake.

The recovery was completed about 11:30 a.m., the Madera County Sheriff’s Office announced a couple of hours later.

Authorities identified the body found did belong to the man who went missing during a solo dive in the Meadow Campground area on Christmas Eve. He was identified as 55-year-old Melvin Helm.

More information will be made available pending an evaluation by the Coroner’s Office, the announcement stated.

Search and rescue personnel had first checked along the shore on foot after the diver was reported missing early Friday night, then were assisted by aircraft with thermal technology capable of helping search both the water and land.

The operation included the Madera County Sheriff’s Boat Patrol Unit and Dive Team members, assisted by personnel from Tulare, Kern and Fresno counties.

This story was originally published December 26, 2021 at 4:14 PM.