Authorities Identify Body Found Along Santa Ynez River

The Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Coroner’s Bureau, reports spokesperson Drew Sugars, has identified the body discovered last week in the Santa Ynez River as that of 57-year-old Mountain View resident Vedasto Redaniel.

A family member had reported Redaniel missing in late November.

Two kayakers found Redaniel’s body on December 23 on the north side of the river near the Refugio Bridge crossing. Sugars said at the time it appeared Redaniel had been dead for several weeks.

The investigation into Redaniel’s death thus far suggests he may have died of natural causes, and there is no evidence to indicate he was the victim of foul play. Results of the autopsy and other tests performed earlier this week, however, are not expected for several weeks, Sugars said.