PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A body was found in the ocean near the site where an SUV went over a California cliff, killing at least 5 members of the Hart family.
The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office said the body appears to be an African American female, but the age can not be confirmed until an autopsy is done. DNA testing could take several weeks.
The body was pulled from the water Saturday near Juan Creek in Westport, California.
Officials are investigating the possibility that it is the body of one of the two missing Hart girls: 16-year-old or 15-year-old Sierra Hart. Devonte Hart, 15, is also missing.
There were no other signs of the missing Hart children.
Complete coverage of the Hart family crash
Jennifer and Sarah Hart, along with 3 of their 6 children were found dead after their SUV went over a cliff on March 26. Markis, 19, Jeremiah, 14 and Abigail, 14, were found dead.
During a press conference Sheriff Thomas Allman said there is “every indication” all 6 children were in the SUV when it plunged off a cliff off Hwy 1.
Officials said a big storm is passing through the area and that may be the reason this body was washed to the surface.
**Editor’s note: Sierra Hart was originally reported by authorities to be 12 years old.