‘A devastating loss’: Beloved father of 3 drowns while visiting Lake Tahoe

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. (KOLO/Gray News) - Authorities say a man visiting northern Nevada over the weekend died while at Lake Tahoe.

According to the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, they were called regarding a possible drowning near the Bonsai Rock area on Lake Tahoe’s east shore Saturday afternoon.

The sheriff’s office said Nevada State Park rangers, U.S. Coast Guard and the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District also responded to the call.

Authorities said crews ended up finding a man’s body in the lake near Harbor about two hours after the initial 911 call.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The sheriff’s office said it appeared to be an accidental drowning.

On Monday, the Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office identified the man as 39-year-old Francisco Villa Madrigal of San Jose, California.

Madrigal’s family has started a GoFundMe and said he was a loving father to three young girls.

“We will miss our beloved father, partner, son, brother, cousin and friend. He was a loving and dedicated father to his three beautiful girls,” his loved ones shared. “A shattering tragedy in their tender young lives. A devastating loss to all the family and friends.”

Washoe County authorities said no foul play was suspected.