Dad vanishes underwater as son swims to get him a life jacket, Utah officials say

A 51-year-old man who vanished while swimming with his son has been found dead in a reservoir near the Great Salt Lake, Utah officials reported.

Robert Mittendorf, of Weber County, disappeared underwater at Willard Reservoir in Willard Bay State Park on Saturday evening, Aug. 3, Utah State Parks officials said in a news release.

Mittendorf had been swimming with his son near their boat when a storm swept through the area, officials said.

His son swam back to the boat for a life jacket for his father, but Mittendorf had vanished by the time he returned, officials said.

Rangers, police and firefighters searched the lake for Mittendorf in murky conditions, which complicated the search, officials said.

His body was found Tuesday, Aug. 6, in the Freeway Bay area of the lake, KTVX reported.

Willard Bay State Park is about a 50-mile drive north from Salt Lake City.

This story was originally published August 7, 2024 at 2:24 PM with the headline "Dad vanishes underwater as son swims to get him a life jacket, Utah officials say."