x
Breaking News
More () »

Coroner says Spokane man who went missing at 49ers game accidentally drowned

Spokane man Ian Powers' cause of death was accidental saltwater drowning, according to the coroner's office.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The medical examiner's office in Santa Clara, California, has identified a body found in the water near Alviso Marina as 32-year-old Spokane man Ian Powers, who went missing during a 49ers game last week.

Powers' cause of death was accidental saltwater drowning, according to the coroner's office.

The stadium has a couple creeks and a river nearby. The waterways in someway or another lead to the marina, which spills out into the bay. The bridge Powers is seen leaving the stadium on in this surveillance video actually goes over one of the creeks.

Powers was reportedly not a strong swimmer, but investigators can't determine for sure how he ended up in the water.

Police say it is possible he could have been swept away and ended up in the marina.

The Santa Clara Police Department's investigation into Powers' disappearance is now closed based on these findings, according to Captain Wahid Kazem.

Powers' uncle Sean Patrick Powers made a Facebook announcement about his nephew's death on Monday afternoon and said he was awaiting a coroner's report to determine the cause of death. He added that Powers' body was found about a mile away from the Alviso Harbor and that bloating indicated he had probably been in the water since Monday.

The full Facebook post reads:

"I know everyone has been waiting for any updates on Ian, and many of you have drawn conclusions, some are even right. I wanted to wait a couple of days to tell you that Ian is dead, because I wanted his mother,girlfriend, and all who came to Santa Clara to search at least a day without vulture-like reporters to grieve. Honestly, there isn't enough time in life to grieve enough for Ian.

We are still awaiting the coroner's report for the cause of death. He was found about a mile away from the Alviso harbor. From the bloating, he had probably been in the water since Monday night.

Please respect everyone's grieving process, and only offer condolences, not stories, or theories on how he died. The speculation just makes things worse.

Thank you everyone who helped search, sorry for yelling at you guys, but you all finally hit my last nerve at that point in time."

HOTSTART Inc. in Spokane Valley, where Powers worked, also gave KREM this statement:

“Today is a sad day for the HOTSTART family as we learned the news of Ian Powers. Our hearts are very heavy as we grieve. It is hard to imagine not having him here. He was very friendly, talented, dependable and fun to be around. We will miss him very much. Our hearts go out to his family, friends and others he touched."

According to the Santa Clara Police Department, a body was found Saturday near the Alviso Marina in San Jose. A group of duck hunters reported seeing the body lying facedown in the low-tide water approximately one mile north of a boat ramp.

Rescue divers from the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office responded and assisted in recovering the body.

Ian Powers attended the game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on Monday. His girlfriend reported that he left his seat to use the restroom and never returned, police said.

Powers' girlfriend, Chelsea Robbins, told KREM's affiliate KPIX in San Francisco they were calling and texting each other after he left the stadium, but they never connected in person.

Santa Clara Police Department leaders issued a press release Wednesday evening saying Powers was reported missing on Monday.

Officials said his car was found in its original location near the stadium and did not show any signs of foul play.They said detectives conducted extensive outreach, including reaching out to Powers' girlfriend and parents. Authorities also monitored social media sites, cell phone and credit card activity, contacted public transportation, hospitals, jail and coroners, reviewed video surveillance at Levi Stadium, and distributed TRAK flyers to law enforcement agencies.

Powers was also entered into the National Missing Persons registry.

The last communication Powers had with family was at 10 p.m. near Old Glory Lane and Great America Parkway, located outside of Levi’s Stadium.

Police said Powers was last seen wearing a red 49ers T-shirt, hat and blue jeans.

Powers' sister Christina Grosse released a statement Wednesday afternoon saying, "We are trying our best to handle everything and that we miss you and love you. Ian come home."

Before You Leave, Check This Out