Body of missing Sacramento woman found in Upper Truckee River in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The body of 62-year-old Pamela Suwinsky was found in the Upper Truckee River Sunday morning, about one-third mile north of Highway 50. Divers found her before noon but did not have positive identification until about 2:30 p.m. this afternoon.

Divers from the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office spent Sunday in the cold and rapidly moving Upper Truckee River, looking for signs of Suwinsky, who was last seen at the Motel 6 in South Lake Tahoe on the afternoon of April 3.

Henry Suwinsky, Pamela's ex-husband, was with her in South Lake Tahoe along with her pet dog. He said she left the motel room with her ID and credit cards, but leaving behind her cell phone, purse and dog. Her body was found with the ID and credit cards, along with some cash.

South Lake Tahoe Police Department and El Dorado County Sheriff's had been searching in the meadow behind Motel 6 all week, bringing out the divers and a drone Sunday. SLTPD detectives have been to San Jose to interview Suwinsky as well as serving a search warrant on Pamela's Sacramento home to look through files and her computer.

According to SLTPD Lt. Shannon Laney, Henry Suwinsky and Pamela had remained friends since their divorce several years ago.

"He remains an important witness in this case," said Lt. Laney. "This is an open and active case."

Volunteers from South Lake Tahoe and Sacramento had spent the day canvasing neighborhoods around the motel and the Upper Truckee River, sharing Suwinsky's photo and talking to those who may have seen the Sacramento woman prior to her disappearance. South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue also helped in the search with volunteers.

South Lake Tahoe Police Detective Brian Hannink met with volunteers at the main post office on Al Tahoe Boulevard prior to their heading out and then again at 4:00 p.m. when Lt. Laney had to break the news to the volunteers.

Search organizer Kathy Lawson, a friend of Suwinsky's, brought friends up from Sacramento to help in the search.

"Than you for coming up and helping us," Lt. Laney told the gathered group.

An autopsy is being conducted in Sacramento and results should be known by Tuesday Laney said. Next of kin, Suwinsky's niece and sister, have been notified.

Anyone with information related to this case is requested to contact the South Lake Tahoe Police Department Detective Division at (530) 542-6100.