Body found in canal near Exeter ID’d

A man found dead in the Friant-Kern canal has been identified, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department said.

He has used multiple names and most recently has been known as Rodrigo Lopez, 44, and Ramiro Lopez Cabera, 41. He is possibly from the Orosi area, the sheriff’s department said.

The coroner’s office identified him via his fingerprints.

But his family has yet to be found, and the sheriff’s department is seeking the public’s help in locating them.

Anyone with information about the man or his family is asked to call the Tulare County Coroner’s Office at 559-687-7000.

Information can also be relayed by calling the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department at 1-800-808-0488 or anonymously at tcso@tipnow.com or by text or voicemail at 559-725-4194.

The discovery of the body near Myers Road southeast of Exeter occurred about 8:20 p.m. July 7. A dive team pulled the body out of the water, and detectives said there were no obvious signs of trauma or foul play.

The body had apparently been in the water for a long time.

An autopsy also found no signs of foul play, and the cause of death is awaiting toxicology reports.

This story was originally published July 15, 2016 at 6:11 PM with the headline "Body found in canal near Exeter ID’d."