A body was recovered on the Santa Monica beach last week, but officials have not yet linked it to a swimmer who disappeared off the coast 10 days earlier.
Los Angeles County Lifeguards found a body on the 1200 block of the beach at about 3:49 p.m. on March 22 and notified the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) who called in the County Coroner. Officers said there was no obvious cause of death but according to SMPD, the identity of the victim is still unknown and the Coroner is currently conducting an investigation.
Lifeguards, the Coast Guard, Sheriff’s deputies and local emergency responders spent three days combing the water off the Santa Monica beach after a lifeguard saw a man disappear below the waves on March 12. The swimmer was about 110-120 yards offshore between Towers 9 and 10 near the California Incline.
Boats, helicopters and dive teams searched the area but were unable to locate anyone.
SMPD Lt. Saul Rodriguez said a man visiting the area from Ireland was reported missing later in the week and some property was recovered from the beach. However, Rodriguez said no connection has been officially drawn between the swimmer, the property and the body.
“We haven’t been able to determine if that swimmer is indeed the same person who went missing,” he said. “I don’t think that link has been made yet and we won’t until the Coroner’s Office can determine what we’re looking at.”
editor@smdp.com
