Searchers find body in wilderness area where deputy went missing

Authorities today said they believed they had found the body of an L.A. County sheriff's deputy missing since Sunday in the Cleveland National Forest.

Deputy Zoltan Tombol, 42, of Yorba Linda, was last seen Sunday morning when his wife assumed he had left home to go hiking or jogging, said Brea Police Lt. Darrin Devereux. Tombol's wife reported him missing Sunday evening after he failed to pick up his son from a relative’s house, Devereux said.

About 100 people from various agencies, including the Los Angeles County and Riverside County sheriff's departments are combing through a hilly and rugged area west of Corona, where Tombol’s pickup truck was found Monday on Green River Road, said Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department spokesman Steve Whitmore.

The search includes canine units, ATVs and two helicopters, he said. Whitmore said his department is taking part because search and rescue is their area of expertise and Tombol is one of their employees.

Officials said at a news conference this afternoon that the searcher found a body in the area about 2:20 p.m. today. They believe it's the deputy, but no tests have yet been done to confirm the identity.

Tombol has been with the department for 19 years and works in the training division.

-- Raja Abdulrahim

Photo Credit: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept.

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Comments

[BeeVee]

Did a coyote get him??

[russell]

Bummer.

[Reese Peterson]

I knew Zoltan. He once coached me in little league baseball all-stars. I'm also a good friend with his son. It's shame what happened. All friends of Zach Tombol(Zoltan's son)knew Zoltan in someway and joked with him all the time. He was a great guy. Once again it's a shame. I'm sorry Zach and Mrs. Tombol for you loss.

-Reese Peterson, Yorba Linda, CA

[Anonymous]

Deputy Tombol,
You were a model Deputy, an outstanding Force Instructor, and a Role Model. The wisdom and tactics that you taught us will live on. Rest in peace. You will be missed and never forgotten.

[CB]

I remember on graduation day over a year ago my son asked me to take a picture of them two standing in front of the Sheriff's Whittier Memorial Wall to remember his tactical training Officer,Tombol. My son could only say what an awesome trainer he was and the high respect my son had for Deputy Tombol. He will surely be missed by my son. Sympathy and prayers for peace go out to all who loved Deputy Tombol.

[Ray]

Tragic Loss for the Department. Once again though Sheriff Baca did not display the leadership that he preaches. We had a Command Post going with dozens of deputies and friends for about 18 hours and he never showed to lend support. Im sure he was on the West side with a donor golfing or for lunch. Mr T in 2010, 14 definitely

[man in blue]

I just read on another site that he just had fathered another child born on Sunday,She was someone he had trained at the Academy. I only hope the situation did not cause Z to commit suicide, now there is two kids without a father.

[temple explorer]

i am gald i had got the pleaser to work with deputy tombol i have been on a few ride alongs with him he was an awsome man who loved to teach and work and give good advice and joke with us all the time. he will be truly missed. im truly sorry for your loss my prayers are with u.