Body of O.C. Teen Washes Ashore

The body of a 14-year-old Fullerton boy who disappeared while swimming near Bolsa Chica State Beach washed up on shore Sunday, according to the Orange County coroner’s office.

A passerby saw a body floating in the water about 6:30 a.m. and called the Huntington Beach Fire Department, said Huntington and Bolsa Chica state beaches lifeguard supervisor Gus Avila.

The body was identified as Oswaldo Jesus Ramos, said Deputy Coroner Cullen Ellinburg.

Oswaldo was swimming about 50 yards from shore Thursday with an unidentified 15-year-old friend when they began struggling in the water, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

Sheriff’s officials said the teens were probably swept into a natural underwater trench by a strong swell. The friend managed to swim to a sandbar, but Oswaldo disappeared. The older boy and his family, who had brought Oswaldo along on an outing to the beach, contacted lifeguards at 1:40 p.m. Thursday.

“His friend didn’t really see Ramos slip beneath the waves, because he was struggling himself,” lifeguard supervisor Michael Brousard said. “But all of a sudden, he was gone.”

He said water conditions were “treacherous and pretty ugly.”

“We had big surf and strong currents, but not enough to intimidate people. So you get swimmers who aren’t that strong getting in the water without realizing how dangerous it can really be,” Brousard said.

Rescuers from various agencies had searched for the teen since Thursday.