The search for Isaiah "Zae" Lowe, a 21-year-old Bonsall man and former Murrieta resident, missing for nearly a month, came to a tragic end Tuesday when authorities recovered his body from the San Luis Rey River.
Lowe's black Chevrolet Camaro was found submerged in the river on Monday, and divers with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department retrieved his remains from inside the vehicle the following day. His family, devastated by the discovery, gathered at the scene for closure and to support one another.
The investigation into Lowe's disappearance began after he was last seen leaving his mother's home in Bonsall on Jan. 22, between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. Surveillance footage captured him getting into his Camaro. Shortly after, his LoJack tracking system recorded the car traveling eastbound on Highway 76 before losing signal. His phone remained off, and his bank accounts showed no activity, raising concerns among loved ones.
On Monday afternoon, Feb. 17, Lowe's family, a few loved ones, and private investigator Tony Campbell looked on while authorities searched an area where the family discovered vehicle debris near a large tear in a highway fence along eastbound SR-76, about two to three miles east of Mission Road. San Diego Sheriff's deputies and search teams responded to the scene, where divers later located a submerged vehicle in the river, close to where the car parts were found.
Search and Rescue teams were scouring every square foot of the bank between the river and the road. During the search, a K-9 dog showed strong interest in one specific location in the water, which was signaled by the dog barking and swimming in the river.
Authorities initially could not confirm whether the car belonged to Lowe. Sheriff's Detective Rivera told the family that they didn't locate a body inside the vehicle when San Diego Sheriff's divers first searched underwater but stressed that further investigation was needed and that it didn't mean that a body was not down there.
Due to nightfall and depleted oxygen supplies for divers, the search was suspended until the following morning.
On the following morning, Tuesday, a heavy Sheriff's presence remained as dozens of vehicles, a tow truck, divers, and investigators worked to retrieve the submerged car. One eastbound lane of Highway 76 was temporarily closed during the operation.
Authorities have not yet released details surrounding how or when Lowe's car entered the river. The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information-particularly anyone who may have witnessed the black car veering off SR-76-could contact the San Diego County Sheriff's Department at (760) 451-3100 or AC Investigations at (760) 828-1423.
Lowe is remembered by family and friends as a kind and creative young man. His loved ones are devastated and now left mourning while seeking answers about the circumstances surrounding his death.
Divers preparing to search for Isaiah's car in the riverbed. AC Investigations video ________________________________________________________________________
Search for Missing Man Isaiah Lowe Leads to Submerged Vehicle in San Luis Rey River
Authorities and family members searching for 21-year-old Isaiah "Zae" Lowe discovered a submerged vehicle in the San Luis Rey River on Monday evening, though officials have not yet confirmed whether it belongs to the missing man.
Lowe, a Bonsall resident, has been missing since January 22, when surveillance footage showed him leaving his mother's home between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m., getting into his black 2024 Chevy Camaro with red racing stripes and Arizona plates (JKA1FS). His LoJack tracking system recorded the car traveling eastbound on Highway 76 before it stopped transmitting a signal. His phone has also been off and his bank accounts untouched since his disappearance, leaving family and investigators desperately searching for answers.
At approximately 12:15 p.m. on Monday, San Diego Sheriff's deputies, Search and Rescue teams, Tony Campbell of AC Investigations, and Lowe's family and friends gathered at a site two to three miles east of Mission Rd on Highway 76. Private investigator Campbell, who has been assisting the family, reported to the Village News that vehicle parts believed to belong to a black Camaro were found scattered near a large tear in a highway fence leading down to the riverbed. Isaiah's father, Larry, said he believes the car parts are most likely from Isaiah's car and were found by the family. It was reported to Village News that Cal Trans, the agency that is responsible for that section of the roadside, said that they put up the red tape three weeks ago when the breach in the fence was noticed by them.
As the search expanded, divers located a vehicle submerged in the river within a mile of where Lowe's LoJack had last transmitted a signal and almost directly below where the large hole in the fence and the black car parts were found. Sheriff's Detective Rivera confirmed to Lowe's parents that the divers found the car underwater but could not definitively identify it as Lowe's Camaro.
Detective Rivera also stated that no body was found inside the car, but cautioned that the search was not over. "That doesn't mean there isn't a body there," Rivera told the family, explaining that further investigation would continue the next morning.
Sheriff's officials, including Fallbrook Sheriff Sergeant Scroggins, urged Lowe's family and friends to leave the scene, warning them that if Lowe's body were to be recovered, it would be a distressing and traumatic sight. "I can't make you leave, but from experience, I would encourage you to. If we do pull a body from the river, it would be better not to see that," Scroggins said. It's better for that to not to be the last thing you remember, he explained.
Despite the warning, Lowe's family remained at the scene, unwilling to leave without answers.
As the evening set in, divers exhausted their oxygen supply, forcing them to pause the search. Rivera informed the family that efforts would resume in the morning.
Throughout the day, Search and Rescue teams scoured the riverbanks between the water and the highway, while K-9 units searched for any trace. The search dogs became highly alert at two locations, barking and jumping into the water, leading authorities to focus efforts in those areas where the car was found.
Lowe's disappearance remains an active investigation. His family and friends are deeply concerned, particularly given some recent struggles.
Private investigator Campbell has been assisting the family. Campbell continues to question those close to Isaiah. One of his friends, Zavion, from Menifee, has provided additional insight to aid the search efforts.
Lowe is described as a 6'2'' African American male, approximately 190 pounds, with black hair and dark brown eyes.
His family is asking the public for help in locating him. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is urged to contact Detective Rivera, San Diego Sheriff's Department (Fallbrook Substation): (760) 451-3100 or AC Investigations: (760) 828-1423. Also, possibly if someone happened to see the black car crash through the fence alongside eastbound SR 76.
This remains a developing story. Updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
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UPDATE: Feb. 17, 6 pm The family of Isaiah Lowe, Sheriff detectives, deputies, Search and Rescue including divers, a K-9 unit and North County Fire were all helping to search an area off of eastbound SR 76. A large hole in the fence was found with black car parts matching the front end of a black 2024 Chevy Camero like the one owned by Isaiah Lowe who has been missing since January 22, 2025.
Search and Rescue searched the banks of San Luis Rey River between the water and the highway. K9 units walked the dogs along the riverbed and there were two places where the dogs seemed to be interested, which they showed by jumping in the water and swimming while barking. It was that area where divers
Feb. 17, 12:15 p.m. - Homicide detectives, sheriff's deputies, Search and Rescue and family members are on scene approximately two to three miles east of Mission Rd. on Highway 76, following a reported sighting of what could be parts of Isaiah Lowe's vehicle.
Tony Campbell reported seeing Camaro parts scattered in the area, leading down into a riverbed through a massive tear in the fencing. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the vehicle parts belong to Lowe.
Authorities on scene are on standby waiting for Search and Rescue teams to report their findings.
This is a developing, breaking news story. Updates will be provided as more details become available.