Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Sam Penrod ReportingSearchers Friday found the bodies of Steven and Catheryn Roundy more than a week after the couple drowned in the waters of Strawberry Reservoir.
Both bodies were found just before noon Friday.
It's been a difficult and tragic week and a half for the Roundy's family.
But they realized time was running out for searchers to make a recovery. So while it is a sad day, it is helping them bring this tragedy to a conclusion.
Noah Springer, Catheryn's Brother: "It's a sad day for us. But again, it is exciting for us to be able to put some closure to this. We feel very blessed we've been able to find more than just Catheryn and Steve. We actually had the opportunity in assisting some other families in putting closure on many years of sadness for them, as well."
Steve and Catheryn disappeared on Wednesday the 8th. They were fishing with friends when high winds capsized their boat.
Steve's brother and a friend survived. But by that night, it had become clear the couple had drowned.
Since then, search teams have gone to great efforts to try and recover the bodies. On a few days, bad weather stopped the search.
In the process of looking for the Roundys, searchers have recovered three other bodies that have been in the reservoir for several years.
One man drowned in 2001. Two others drowned back in 1995.
Martin Roundy, Steve's Father: "Deeply grateful for the families who have been waiting eleven years for this day. We take a bit of solace that in this loss there has been a blessing for them."
The two bodies found this week still have not been positively identified.
As for a third victim believed to be in the reservoir, searchers say they may return next spring, now that they have a general idea of where to search.
Cooperation between Utah's Department of Public Safety, as well as the Wasatch and Summit County search and rescue teams made the search successful. The teams spent an average of 14 hours a day searching.
Searchers are crediting new technology in helping them recover the Roundys and the three other victims. They are satisfied they have helped to bring several families some closure.
Searchers say they have put in hundreds of man hours over the last few days, and the family has been thanking them for their help most of the afternoon.
Technology not available ten years ago greatly helped crews in their search. They used what is called side scanning sonar.
The torpedo-shaped device gives them a clear picture of what lies on the lake floor.
The sonar has a range of 146 feet in all directions - allowing them to see much deeper below the surface than dive teams can safely go.
The sonar provides computer images. When the sonar showed something promising, Summit County sent down its underwater robot with a camera to get a better look.
The bodies were then brought to the surface with a robotic arm.
Funeral Plans
- Monday 10am-11:40am visitation LDS church building 545 South 800 East, Orem, UT 84097
- 12pm funeral at LDS church building 545 South 800 East, Orem, UT 84097 Interment following funeral service at Evergreen Cemetery, Springville, UT
