Body pulled from canal ID’D

The Tulare County Sheriff’s Department has identified a man who was found dead floating in the Friantkern Canal a week ago.

The body was identified as David Wurtsmith, 46, of Lindsay. The department is treating the case as a homicide. An autopsy was being performed this week to determine cause of death.

The body was spotted floating in the manmade waterway by someone working along the canal shortly before 10 a.m. on Oct. 6 and reported it to the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department. It was seen close to Olive Avenue west of Porterville.

Deputies with the assistance of Tulare County Fire Department Engine 19 out of the West Olive Fire Station were able to use a ladder to stop the body from continuing south down the canal. The body was pinned along the eastern bank of the canal about 100 yards south of where Highway 190 crosses the canal. Initially, Highway 190 from road 216 and 208 was closed to through traffic while TCSO conducted its investigation.

The department’s Dive Team removed the body from the canal shortly before 1 p.m. This case is being investigated by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department Violent Crimes Unit.

Anyone with information about this crime is encouraged to call the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at 733-6218 or they can remain anonymous by calling or texting 725-4194 or through email at tcso@ tipnow.com.