Body Discovered Near Site of California Cliff Crash That Killed Family
Authorities said a body was recovered Saturday near the area where an SUV, believed to be carrying a family of 8, plunged off a North California cliff last month.
A couple vacationing reportedly saw the body and pulled it from the surf before calling authorities.
The body appears to be that of an African-American female, but the age and identity could not immediately be determined, said Lt. Shannon Barney of the Mendocino County Sheriff's office.
Authorities believe the body may be that of one of the missing girls from the crash.
Police hadn’t found the bodies of Devonte Hart and his adoptive sisters, 16-year-old Hannah Hart and 12-year-old Sierra, after the March 26 crash.
The children’s adoptive parents, Jennifer and Sarah Hart, and three of their siblings were confirmed dead after the crash, police said.
An autopsy will be performed on the body on Tuesday, police said.
Since the accident, authorities have suggested that the crash was intentional.
During the investigation, police discovered the vehicle was pinned at 90 mph. Authorities also found no skid marks at the edge of the Mendocino County cliff.
Investigators have also said the SUV's software indicates the vehicle stopped at the highway pullout before it accelerated straight off the cliff, according to The Associated Press.
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