Body Found in Lady Bird Lake Near Wishbone Bridge
The Austin Fire Department recovered the remains early Friday; the medical examiner is investigating the cause of death.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Accidents
Austin Fire Department personnel recovered a male body from Lady Bird Lake near the Wishbone Bridge pedestrian trail early Friday morning. The Travis County Medical Examiner's Office is currently working to determine the cause of death after finding no obvious signs of trauma.
Why it matters
The discovery marks another in a series of similar incidents at the lake that have drawn community attention over the last several years. Officials have confirmed that this death is not currently being investigated as a homicide.
This incident brings the total number of bodies found in or around Lady Bird Lake to 38 since 2022. The medical examiner has not yet released a cause of death for the individual found on Friday.
The players
Austin Fire Department
The city agency responsible for fire suppression and water rescue operations.
Travis County Medical Examiner's Office
The regional office tasked with investigating deaths and determining causes of mortality.
The details
Witnesses alerted authorities after spotting a body in the water near the Wishbone Bridge, prompting a response from the Austin Fire Department. Using a civilian boat, emergency responders recovered the remains at approximately 12:30 a.m. The Travis County Medical Examiner's Office responded to the scene to begin their investigation, noting that there were no visible signs of trauma.
Timeline
The body was discovered in the lake on Friday, October 16, 2026.
Emergency crews recovered the remains at 12:30 a.m. on October 16, 2026.
A previous recovery occurred at the lake on October 25, 2025.
At least 38 bodies have been found in or near the water since 2022.
The Texas Context
This recovery follows the precedent set by the October 25, 2025, discovery of a body in the same waters. It marks a continuation of the trend of similar incidents recorded in Lady Bird Lake since 2022.
The area near the Wishbone Bridge pedestrian trail may see temporary activity as officials finalize their on-site investigation. No ongoing road or trail closures have been announced following the recovery.
The takeaway
Residents should be aware that the medical examiner will lead the next phase of the investigation to determine the cause of death. You can continue to monitor local public safety updates for any further information released by the county.
Further reading
For more information on public safety reports, visit Accidents.
