Lake Tahoe tree poisoning probe expands after more cases reported

A string of suspected tree poisonings at a popular Lake Tahoe beach has prompted another investigation by authorities.

The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after more trees were found with an unknown substance around their bases at Burnt Cedar Beach in Incline Village, CBS reported.

Deputies were first called to the beach on June 24 after a strong odor was reported at the base of a pine tree. Soil samples were collected, and the sheriff’s office said investigators determined the odor matched previous tree-poisoning cases.

The investigation took another turn on Aug. 2 when additional trees were discovered with an unknown substance around their bases. Investigators believe it was placed there sometime between 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 1 and 5 a.m. on Aug. 2.

Deputies are continuing to search the area for additional evidence as they work to identify whoever is behind the incidents.

“The deliberate destruction of these trees is deeply troubling and represents a significant loss for the entire community,” Sheriff Darin Balaam said in a statement.

The sheriff’s office said it has investigated several similar cases at Burnt Cedar Beach since 2022 involving substances poured around the bases of trees or drilled into their roots.

Authorities have not identified a suspect or disclosed what substance was found around the trees.

The investigation comes as authorities in the area grapple with a busy summer. An Amazon software engineer from Texas died last week after he was pulled unresponsive from the waters of Lake Tahoe.

The Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as Yadessa Aga, 32, of Austin. Aga worked as a software engineer for Amazon in the city, according to his LinkedIn.

The 32-year-old was in Nevada to visit friends and attend a religious conference before tragedy struck, loved ones said.

“While returning from a church conference and spending time with close friends in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, Yadessa went home to be with his Lord and Savior following a tragic accident,” according to a GoFundMe from family and friends.

The fatal incident comes just weeks after another person died near Sand Harbor in June after reportedly experiencing distress in the water.

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