Body Found on Beach Identified

A body that washed onshore near the Mesa Steps Thursday has been identified as 48-year-old Gordon Jennell of Santa Barbara. According to police, the man’s body was recovered with a wetsuit on, and according to his family, the victim was a regular surfer.

There were no signs of foul play or visible signs of trauma, according to Lt. Paul McCaffrey. The coroner will determine the cause of death in coming weeks.

Authorities originally received reports of an abandoned surfboard in the surf near the Douglas Family Preserve. An officer responded but couldn’t find the board, nor anyone having trouble in the water. Three hours later, just after 1 p.m., police received reports of the body washing up. Inside a truck parked near the top of Mesa Steps was a wallet with identification matching the victim. The victim’s board was recovered early this morning, near Hendry’s Beach.