Public's Help Sought to ID Body Found Floating Off Newport Coast

Investigators are asking for the public's help in identifying the body of a male found by a fisherman on Christmas Eve floating off Newport Coast, a sheriff's official announced Thursday.

The male's body was found by a commercial fisherman floating approximately one mile off the coast of Newport Beach near the Crystal Cove area. Lt. Jeff Hallock, spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff's Department, said the victim's age and race are unknown, but he is believed to be approximately 5 feet, 9 inches tall, weighed 165 pounds with dark colored hair.

When he was found in the water, the victim was wearing dark-colored, nylon “Champion” sweatpants with zippered legs, size 11, black Asics running shoes and a black “Timex” watch with a plastic band.  

Hallock would not say if there were any indicators as to the victim's cause of death.

"We are not releasing any other details at this stage as a result of the ongoing investigation," Hallock said.

Anyone with information about the victim is asked to call the Orange County Sheriff’s Department investigators at 714-647-7044 or 714-647-7000.  Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS, 855-847-6227 or at occrimestoppers.org.

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