SMPD find 83-year-old man floating in the bay’s waters
SM PIER The body of an 83-year-old man from West Los Angeles was pulled from the waters around the Santa Monica Pier late Tuesday evening, authorities said.
There appeared to be no evidence of foul play, according to Lt. Alex Padilla of the Santa Monica Police Department.
The exact cause of death was not known as of Wednesday afternoon, however, authorities are investigating whether or not it was an accidental drowning or a suicide, said Craig Harvey, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.
An autopsy was expected to be completed by today. At around 9:40 p.m. on Tuesday, officers with the SMPD responded to the west end of the pier to assist the Harbor Patrol with the recovery of a body seen floating face down in the ocean. Harbor guards were able to perform an ocean rescue and bring the subject to the top of the pier.
Attempts to resuscitate the man, who was described as Asian, were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead, Padilla said.
The body was released to the coroner’s office for identification.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the SMPD.
Authorities have identified a woman who was found dead last month near a restroom at the beach.
Elizabeth Bernice Celaya, 48, was believed to have been homeless at the time of her death. While police said there is no evidence of foul play, the coroner’s office has yet to determine the cause of death, authorities said.
“We are still awaiting additional tests to be completed, which can take anywhere from six to eight weeks,” Harvey said.
Celaya was found dead near a beach restroom on March 29 at 8:10 a.m. in the 1100 block of Palisades Beach Road, about a mile south of the pier. Her body was found resting up against a wall “as if she had died in her sleep,” Padilla said.
A relative living in Arizona was notified and asked for the coroner’s office to dispose of the remains, Harvey said.
Officers found a citation issued by the SMPD on Celaya when her body was discovered.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 19, 2007. Read the original PDF.