South Bay : Investigators Probe Cause of Man’s Fatal Plunge From Cliff

Investigators have not ruled out homicide in the death of a 68-year-old Rancho Palos Verdes man who fell 150 feet down a cliff last week, authorities said Tuesday.

Accident and suicide also remain possibilities in the case of William Charles Beals, whose body was found by a fisherman on a rocky beach north of Point Vicente about 12:30 p.m. Friday, sheriff’s homicide Detective Susan Coleman said. Investigators believe the fall occurred that morning.

The biggest obstacle to determining the reason for Beals’ death, Coleman said, is that investigators have yet to find a witness.

Beals’ car was found atop the windy bluff. The doors of the car were locked and nothing appeared out of place, Coleman said. Beals was not known to frequent the cliffs, she said. “It does not appear that he did that on a routine basis or at all.”