South Tahoe teen killed by falling tree

A missing South Lake Tahoe teenager was found dead Dec. 13, having been struck by a 50-foot tree during the storm.

Dejon Smith, 14, had been reported missing Dec. 11 from his Wildwood Avenue home.

Officers on Dec. 12 spoke to someone who had seen the teen late the night before in the wooded area behind Rancho Way. Officers searched the area to no avail.

A resident on Saturday reported finding a body about a half-mile from where officers had been looking the day before.

“There is some indication other people may have been present and we are investigating that,” Police Chief Brian Uhler told Lake Tahoe News.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the South Lake Tahoe Police Department at 530.542.6100.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report