On Sunday, October 18, 2020, the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office was called regarding 82 year old Donald Maurischat who was reported as missing. Donald was last seen at his residence on Sunday afternoon. Donald resided on Forest Lake Road and frequently walked the Diamond Springs area and Diamond Dam.
Approximately 400 searchers checked the area over a 6 day period, with assistance from many agencies around the area. Unfortunately, on Friday afternoon, the body of a deceased person was located and positively identified as Donald.
At this time, there is no evidence of foul play or criminal activity. Donald has been positively identified and next of kin have been notified.
On October 9, 2020, at 1857 hours the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office was called regarding an accidental drowning in South Lake Tahoe. The victim, identified as 30-year-old Daisy Rogers from El Paso, Tx, was in a boat traveling back to South Lake Tahoe from Emerald Bay. During the trip, Daisy went to the back of the boat and accidentally fell off. Another adult on the boat attempted to save her from the water but he was unable to.
Daisy was located by the United States Coast Guard at 2119 hours and taken to Barton Hospital while lifesaving efforts were attempted. Daisy was later pronounced deceased. This incident is currently being investigated by the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office Coroner’s office. At this time, there is no evidence of foul play and there is no criminal investigation.
Daisy has been positively identified and next of kin notifications have been completed.
On September 12, 2020, at 2058 hours, the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a residence on Rainbow Ridge Road in Placerville to assist El Dorado County Fire with a combative patient. When deputies arrived on scene they contacted medics and 49-year-old Odie Prettyman. Prettyman was in obvious medical and mental distress but refused to be transported by medics.
Deputies attempted to get Prettyman to comply with medics. Deputies told Prettyman that he was going to have to go to the hospital because of his medical and mental state. Prettyman Picked up a silver metal pen, raised it and slashed toward the deputies. Deputies grabbed Prettyman’s hand and removed the item. At that time, Prettyman began to show signs of medical distress. Deputies began to render aid and placed him onto the medic’s gurney. Deputies assisted with CPR and medics transported Prettyman to Marshal Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.
The Sheriff’s Office initiated the critical incident protocol for this death investigation. This protocol activates a multi-agency investigative team comprised of the Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney, CHP, Placerville PD, and South Lake Tahoe PD. The goal is a complete and impartial investigation into the death.
Cause of death for Prettyman is under investigation by the Critical Incident Protocol team and by the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office Coroner Unit. Next of kin notifications for Prettyman have been completed.
