Body of Woman Found in Ocean Still Unidentified

Hermosa Beach police are still trying to identify the body of a woman who was found floating face-down in the ocean by two surfers, authorities said Tuesday.

Police said two surfers discovered the woman in the water Sunday at 9:30 a.m. near 24th Street and pulled her to shore. Det. Kevin Averill said a surfer reported seeing a body Friday on the southern portion of the beach and a three-hour search was conducted, but a body was not found.

An autopsy by the coroner’s office concluded that there were no obvious signs of foul play, Averill said. He said it could be a drowning or a suicide and added that because the body had been floating for at least a few days, it’s unclear when the woman died.

Averill said the woman was not carrying identification and no one has called to report a missing woman. He said the coroner’s office is awaiting fingerprints to help identify the body.

The woman has been described as a white or a light-skinned Latina between 30 and 40. She was 5 foot 3, and 96 pounds and was wearing a purple sweatsuit and a gold Cartier watch. She was found barefoot and has blue or green eyes.

Anyone with information is asked to call (310) 318-0360.