Dana Point Diver Dies in Catalina Waters
A 40-year-old Dana Point man died last week while diving for lobster off Catalina Island, authorities said.
Robert Murdoch was found Friday tangled in kelp 50 feet below the surface of the Long Point diving spot, said Los Angeles County Sheriff Sgt. Marty Dailey.
The cause of death is under investigation.
Murdoch arrived at the site Thursday aboard a private, 25-foot skipjack from Dana Point to dive for lobster, which is done at night, Dailey said.
At the end of the dive, Murdoch appeared near the boat with a dive partner but somehow became separated from the partner. With little air left in his tank, he apparently submerged again, Dailey said. Rescue divers eventually found his body Friday.
“We really don’t know why he went back down or if there was [an underlying] medical condition,” Dailey said.
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