Man's Body Found in Ocean, Public's Help Sought

Orange County coroner's investigators today were working to identify a man whose body was found in the ocean about 50 yards from shore at Bolsa Chica State Beach.

A deputy coroner told The Orange County Register the man, whose body was
spotted about 9:50 a.m. Saturday, appeared to have been dead four to six
hours.

Some clothes and a cellular Tracfone telephone found on the beach, along
with a towel, may have belonged to the man, but no identification was found,
authorities said. The phone is registered to a Wilfred Escobar, deputy coroner Allison O'Neal told The Register. She said the man appeared to be in his 20s but did not match any current missing persons reports.

"Right now, we're thinking he was on foot from an area hotel or motel,"
O'Neal said.

The possibly Hispanic man was found in a dark blue T-shirt, with the words "Caribbean Joe 2001 Let Go." He also was wearing underwear, but no swim
gear, O'Neal said. He was about 6 feet and 185 pounds, with brown eyes and wavy brown hair.

Investigators found nothing to suggest foul play. A full autopsy was expected to be done later this week.

Anyone with more information about the man was asked to call the
coroner's 24-hour hotline, (714) 647-7411.

-City News Service