Body of missing surfer had wounds consistent with shark attack

The body of a 42-year-old man who had been surfing off Pacific Beach washed close to shore and was recovered Thursday morning, San Diego lifeguards said.

The body had wounds consistent with a shark attack, said Lifeguard Lt. John Everhart. The medical examiner concluded the attack occurred after the man had died, he said.

A woman had reported to authorities at 7:35 p.m. Wednesday that her fiance was missing after a surfing outing. Lifeguards and the U.S. Coast Guard searched for several hours with boats and helicopters.

The body initially was spotted by a beachgoer about 3:30 a.m. Thursday.

Everhart said there is no evidence to indicate what species of shark was involved or whether the shark is still prowling the waters off Pacific Beach. The body was naked and the man’s wetsuit had been wrapped around the surfboard, Everhart said.

Everhart said initial evidence is that the man drowned and then the shark attack occurred.

“There are a lot of unknowns,” he said.

The wetsuit and surfboard were recovered several hundred yards off the beach.

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tony.perry@latimes.com