Updated: 1:20 p.m. on July 10, 2014
The body found Thursday was that of a 21-year-old Vista man who apparently drowned at Carlsbad State Beach.
The body of David Velasco was identified by his brother, Fernando, authorities said.
Velasco was wading in the surf near Pine Avenue in the vicinity of Pine Avenue and Carlsbad Boulevard with his 18-year-old brother when he disappeared around 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Carlsbad Fire Department.
Neither of the brothers could swim, and the stretch of beach where the victim went missing was not patrolled by lifeguards, Deputy Chief Mike Lopez said.
The initial search, which involved boats, divers, helicopters and county and federal agencies, was called off after about two hours. The U.S. Coast Guard continued to patrol until about 1 a.m., fire officials said.
Lifeguards resumed the recovery effort this morning, and a body was found less than two miles north, in the vicinity of Cassidy and South Pacific streets, according to fire officials.
Fire officials said the body was believed to be that of the missing man, but the Medical Examiner’s Office will confirm the identity.
