A Sonoma County Sheriff's deputy dispatched to the 18000 block of Fort Ross Road shortly before 3 p.m. Tuesday found Erica Shane, 34, of Glen Ellen, lying in the creek and was unable to revive her.
She later was pronounced dead, according to a report from Lt. Chris Spallino.
Spallino reported that the deputy had responded to the area on the report of an unoccupied Silver Subaru Forester parked in the roadway.
The deputy learned that the car had been parked at the location for several hours, so he began searching the area for the driver of the vehicle. Spallino said the deputy followed a path that led up a steep hillside next to a rapid creek.
Approximately 200 yards up the creek, the deputy found Shane submerged in the water. Spallino said the deputy pulled Shane from the creek and began cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Fort Ross Fire Department personnel who arrived on scene pronounced Shane dead.
An autopsy was scheduled to take place Wednesday, Spallino said. Shane's death is being investigated by the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office Violent Crimes Unit and the Sonoma County Coroner's Unit.
Detectives are asking anyone who may have had contact with the victim on Jan. 26, or who may have seen anything suspicious in the area of the 18000 block of Fort Ross Road, Cazadero, to contact Detective James Naugle at 707-565-2185.
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