Authorities identify set of remains found in shrinking Lake Mead near Las Vegas

Authorities this week revealed the identity of one of the many sets of human remains found in Nevada's Lake Mead in recent months, the first such positive identification since bodies began appearing in the shrinking lake in May. 

The Clark County Medical Examiner told media that remains found at Callville Bay in early May were those of Thomas Erndt of Las Vegas County. 

“The identification was based on investigative information, DNA analysis and reports from the original incident,” county spokesman Dan Kulin said in a statement. “The cause and manner of Mr. Erndt’s death is undetermined.”

Erndt was reported drowned in 2002 after falling off a boat in Lake Mead. He left behind two children, according to media reports at the time. 

Multiple other human remains from the lake, including one discovered in a barrel, have yet to be identified.