“Recoveries such as this can put responding personnel at risk.  We are grateful that no one was injured and the body was recovered so that law enforcement can investigate the circumstances and next of kin can be notified.”

– CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

FORT BRAGG – On April 26, 2024, at approximately 2:54 p.m., the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a possible human body observed floating in the ocean immediately south of the city of Fort Bragg. Deputies responded to the location where the reporting person last observed the object floating offshore and confirmed that it was a deceased human body.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), Mendocino Volunteer Fire Department, and California State Parks water rescue lifeguards responded to assist with the recovery.

As the CDFW boat was responding from Noyo Harbor, California State Parks lifeguards deployed into the water to move the decedent away from the shore to access the boat. Due to the steep rocky shoreline and choppy sea conditions, the decision was made to recover the decedent with the boat and transport the remains to Noyo Harbor as opposed to trying to navigate the steep cliffs and rocky shores of the coastline.

Mendocino Volunteer Fire Department Yamaha rescue jet skis launched from Noyo Harbor to assist with the recovery and ensure the safe return of the rescue swimmers and personnel involved in the recovery effort.

Once the decedent was returned to Noyo Harbor, Sheriff’s Office Deputies initiated a coroner’s investigation into this incident. Deputies were unable to locate any identifying marks or characteristics of the decedent in order to determine identity. Based on the clothing located on the decedent, it is believed the decedent is likely an adult female. No other identifying information was located during the preliminary investigation.