Body of Older Man Found at Crystal Cove

The body of an elderly Costa Mesa man was found floating face down in the shallow waters at Crystal Cove State Park on Wednesday, and investigators are trying to determine whether he drowned accidentally or was the victim of foul play.

Investigators have not released the name of the man, whose fully clothed body was found at 12:20 p.m. north of the El Morro Beach Mobile Home Park off Pacific Coast Highway in an unincorporated area. Officials said they were having difficulty reaching his next of kin and would not say where he lived.

Sheriff’s Department Lt. Rich Paddock said homicide investigators are looking at the death but aren’t sure what happened.

“We are looking at it from all angles,” said Ken Kramer, lifeguard supervisor for the state beach.

The body could have been in the water one or two days, officials said.

A resident of the mobile home park noticed the body and reported it to lifeguards, who performed CPR.

The man was wearing jeans and a T-shirt but no shoes, Kramer said. Based on identification found in the man’s wallet, officials said he was 71 years old.

Lt. Larry Abbott said the investigation continues and said the homicide team always responds to deaths.

“You never can rule it out until the autopsy,” he said. An autopsy is scheduled today.