Names of three killed at Palisades Reservoir released

UPDATE Saturday 3:35 p.m.:

The following a press release from the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office:

“As previously mentioned, yesterday Bonneville County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to Palisades Reservoir to a report of debris and boat equipment floating on the water. As Deputies arrived they located 2 deceased bodies and then a third that had been floating in the water.

Deputies were able to locate a small motor boat submerged in the water linked to the victims. Through investigation, deputies determined the three victims arrived at Palisades on Thursday, May 4th with the intention of crossing the reservoir and camping in the McCoy Creek area until the 5th.

It appeared the small boat was overloaded and somehow capsized in the process of crossing the reservoir. The victims were found wearing life jackets but appeared to have died from hypothermia and exposure to the cold water before being able to reach the shore.

The victims were identified as 69-year-old Leo S. Britt of Grapeview, Washington, 64-year-old Niel Hines of Jeffrey City, Wyoming, and 44-year-old Sydney Hines of Jeffrey City, Wyoming.

ORIGINAL STORY: The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the deaths of three people at the Palisades Reservoir Friday.

According to a news release, deputies were called to the reservoir around noon for a report of debris floating in the water. When deputies arrived, they found the bodies of two adult males and one female. It is believed they were killed in a boating accident.

The incident is still under investigation. The victim’s names have not been released.

The Sheriff’s Office said it will release more information Saturday.