Body identified as man who fell into Kern River last year

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) — Authorities say a body found in the dry bed of the Kern River has been identified as a man who was seen falling off a raft in the river last year.

The Kern County Sheriff’s Office says scientific and dental examinations identified the man as 34-year-old Juan Torrez of Bakersfield.

Torrez was reported missing by family members on June 3, 2017. His remains were found last month.

There were multiple fatalities in California rivers last year when they became swollen with runoff from heavy winter snows.