Missing Person on Beardsley Lake
August 21, 2026 – Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office officials report that on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at about 4:20 P.M., the TCSO received a report of a missing person on Beardsley Lake. 58-year-old Arturo Daniel Duran (of Modesto) was last seen leaving the designated swim area at Beardsley Lake on an orange and blue inflatable paddleboard at about 3:00 P.M. About 20-30 minutes later, his family noticed the empty paddleboard drifting in the lake with no sign of Duran.
Our Pinecrest Deputy responded to Beardsley Lake and met with family members to gather further information. They reported that no ankle leash or life jacket was affixed to the paddleboard. The Deputy searched the shoreline and spoke with other people in the area while waiting for the TCSO Boat Patrol Unit and Search and Rescue (SAR) members to arrive on scene.
Once the TCSO Boat Patrol Unit arrived, two Boat Patrol boats searched the lake, a TCSO drone searched overhead, and SAR members with the use of a search K9 searched the area on foot for Duran. This continued until late in the evening. The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) was contacted, and they responded to the lake to assist with their Underwater Remote Vehicle (ROV) to search for Duran. The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office was also contacted for helicopter assistance and responded with Air101—neither the ROV nor the helicopter located Duran.
On 8/16/26, the search resumed with boats and equipment on the lake from both TCSO, CCSO, Amador County Sheriff's Office, SAR members on foot and boat, and aerial assistance from the California Highway Patrol.
On 8/17/26, the search of the lake continued with assistance from CCSO, the Amador County Sheriff’s Office, and the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office ROV Team.
TCSO and CCSO boating units are back on the water today, continuing search efforts for Duran. Crews are utilizing CCSO’s ROV and Towfish—a torpedo-shaped underwater sonar device towed behind a boat that uses side-scan acoustic imaging to map the lakebed and help locate objects beneath the surface. A drone is also being utilized to assist with aerial search efforts, and the TCSO Dive Team is on scene supporting the operation.
Searching Beardsley Lake has been challenging due to its deep, dark water and limited visibility. Underwater obstacles, including large boulders, steep granite drop-offs, and other natural features, have made search efforts more difficult. Additionally, strong winds have created rough conditions for search crews working on the water. Despite these challenges, our crews remain committed to the search and will continue our efforts to locate Duran.
When he went missing, Duran was wearing a gray short-sleeved shirt, green shorts, and a tan fishing hat. Duran is described as a 5’9”, 200-pound Hispanic Male with brown eyes, short, salt-and-pepper hair, as well as a salt-and-pepper mustache and goatee. Duran has a large scar across his torso and several tattoos on his chest and back.
If anyone has information regarding this missing person, please contact the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office at 209-533-5815.
Source & photos: Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office
