The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office has identified the woman who lost her footing, slipped and fell to her death while taking a photograph at Eagle Falls near Lake Tahoe’s Emerald Bay as 35-year-old Bay Area resident Stephanie “Dina” Espinosa. She was sitting in one of the pools of water near the waterfalls when she fell on Friday.
“Dina slipped while reaching for a branch and was swept away in the very fast-moving waters over the waterfall,” authorities said in a news release.
Espinosa’s family launched an online donation site on GoFundMe, according to the North Tahoe Fire Protection District, to help pay for funeral expenses and to help support her three children. The incident is being investigated by California State Parks. The sheriff’s office is handling the coroner’s investigation.
The North Tahoe Fire Protection District, in a Facebook post Sunday, reminded visitors of the dangers that exist in the Tahoe Basin.
“Our message is to help visitors understand the dangers inherent to our beautiful region, and especially after this record winter, our creeks, rivers, waterfalls, and lake carry many dangers that visitors need to be aware of. Our only hope is that this tragic accident will help others to take heed and use extreme caution when they are recreating in the area.”
