Investigation ongoing after body found near Lake Berryessa

Authorities are investigating a “suspicious death” near Lake Berryessa that closed a stretch of Highway 128, according to the Napa County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff’s public information officer Henry Wofford said a body was found within the closure area, prompting detectives to respond about 3:20 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, and shut down the roadway between Wragg Canyon Road and Monticello Dam for several hours.

Wofford said late Friday afternoon there is no active or unfolding threat to the public.

Investigators are in the early stages of the case and have not released the identity of the deceased or additional details about the circumstances that led to the person’s death or the discovery of the body. Authorities said more information may be released later.

By Saturday morning, the road had been reopened.

Late Saturday morning, Wofford confirmed that the investigation was now being handled by the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office.

San Joaquin sheriff’s spokesperson Heather Brent said on Sunday morning there is a possibility the case could be connected to a kidnapping investigation in Tracy, but authorities do not yet have confirmation.

“We’re currently waiting for the medical examiner’s office to give us proper identification,” Brent said. “Outside of that, because I don’t have those facts yet, I don’t have any further information.”

Brent said investigators are not releasing details about how the body was found, citing the active homicide investigation. She said officials hope to have identification late Sunday evening or early Monday but emphasized the agency’s priority is providing confirmed information rather than speculation.

You can reach Staff Writer Isabel Beer at isabel.beer@pressdemocrat.com.