A Cottonwood man has admitted to dumping his wife’s body in Whiskeytown Lake, according to Shasta County Sheriff’s detectives, but he denies killing her. The sheriff’s office first had contact on March 15th, when a 9-1-1 call was made from the Westridge Road home of Philip and Bridget Jacobs. The 11PM call was made from Phillip’s cell phone and all that was heard was a woman screaming and then a hang up. Deputies checked the house and it appeared unoccupied other than two dogs laying on the couch. Five days later, on the 20th, Bridget’s father, Michael Roche of New York, reported her missing. It was unusual for the 38-year-old woman to go so long without calling her father. Deputies started an investigation and spoke with Philip after he hadn’t shown for work for two days. Bridget also had missed 2 days of work. Philip reportedly said he had made the 9-1-1 call during an argument, and said Bridget had left on foot with her purse, her cell phone, and her little dog. Detectives took over the case the next day and have been canvassing the neighborhood and interviewing Philip Jacobs repeatedly. On the 23rd a search warrant was issued for the Jacobs home after Philip missed an interview appointment with detectives. During the search, Bridget’s cell phone was found in a safe, as well as unspecified items that pointed to foul play. Detectives also learned that on the 19th, Philip drove his Toyota FJ Cruiser with his small sail boat to Whiskeytown Lake. On Tuesday detectives were interviewing Philip’s mother at her Redding home when Philip showed up and said he needed to talk about how accidents happen. He allegedly told them that Bridget had died on the 15th during an argument when she fell down the stairs and possibly broke her neck. He reportedly said he kept the body for four days, and then placed her in the boat and drove to Whiskeytown. He said he parked at Brandy Creek, rowed the boat out to deep waters and dumped Bridget’s body with a cinder block tied to her. He’s been booked into jail for murder. The Sheriff’s Office and Park Service have been searching for the body. They also have not found Bridget’s dog, a Pomeranian/Yorkshire mix. Detectives would like to hear from anyone who’s seen the dog, or who saw the FJ Cruiser and blue boat on the 19th. Photos will be posted to our Facebook page.