Updated at 10:30 a.m. with new information including an update on where the body was found. Original reports stated the body was found off either Manhattan Beach or Redondo Beach.
A search that began as a "person in the water" ocean rescue and recovery has turned into a homicide investigation after the body was recovered floating one mile off the coast of Hermosa Beach, according to Los Angeles County officials.
A call first came in around 2:23 p.m. Thursday, reporting a person in the water near the Manhattan Beach Pier, said Los Angeles County Fire Department Inspector Brian Riley Friday.
Baywatch Redondo was dispatched with Baywatch Cabrillo and Baywatch Del Rey later joining in the search. A U.S. Coast Guard Airship was also seen combing the coast during the search Thursday.
The body was found at 5:07 p.m., said L.A. County Fire Department Inspector Quvondo Johnson, and taken to a harbor patrol office in Redondo Beach for further investigation.
Los Angeles County sheriff's homicide detectives are investigating "the
death of an unidentified male whose body was found floating in the ocean
approximately one mile off the coast of Hermosa Beach," said Sgt. Rich Pena.
Homicide detectives, who began their investigation after receiving a call around 7:40 p.m. Thursday, will attempt to identify the body and determine a cause of death.
Deputy Benjamin Grubb noted it is standard practice for homicide
detectives to investigate incidents involving the discovery of bodies even if
no homicide has taken place.
Family members of the deceased must first be notified before the dead man's name can be publicly released, said L.A. County deputy Aura Sierra-Lidman.
City News Service also contributed to this report.
