Body of Homeless Laguna Man, 31, Found Near Store

A 31-year-old Laguna Beach man, who had been homeless for the past couple of years, was found dead Thursday morning behind a convenience store, police said.

Matthew D. Stearns, whose last address was on Canyon Acres Drive, “apparently passed away due to too much alcohol,” said Acting Police Chief Jim White. His body was found behind the Circle K market at 885 Glenneyre St., in a small space between buildings where the homeless were known to sleep, White said.

A fellow homeless man discovered the body at 8 a.m. Thursday when he went to find Stearns to share a beer, White said.

Fully clothed and wearing a jacket, Stearns was found in a sleeping position near a couple of sleeping bags at the scene. Police do not suspect foul play, White said.

White said Stearns was known to police as one of the “local homeless.” He was “in and out of trouble” for drinking in public and sleeping on the beach, he said.

Stearns, who last registered to vote in 1988, listed his occupation as a painter.

“He was a somewhat likable guy, really,” White said. “It’s kind of sad to see someone destroy their life like that.”

The Circle K is near the Friendship Shelter on Pacific Coast Highway, but Stearns was not known to the staff.

“We are a 60-day program designed to help people to get back into the mainstream,” said Janet Smith, the shelter’s supervisor.

“Sometimes people don’t want to do it. They prefer the street life.”

White said Laguna Beach has “quite a homeless population.”