Lifeguards discovered a body in Ocean Beach as they searched for missing swimmer Brian Wilson. NBC 7’s Candice Nguyen reports.
A body was found in Ocean Beach Monday evening as rescuers searched for a young man last seen swimming along Sunset Cliffs in San Diego.
On Tuesday, the medical examiner identified the body as Brian Wilson, 23, who was swimming with friends and family when he was last seen around 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
When he did not return to the beach, friends called for help. Just over 24 hours later, San Diego Fire-Rescue officials told NBC 7 they found a man's body on the rocks at the foot of Orchard Avenue in Ocean Beach.
A lifeguard on a jet ski found Wilson's body at almost the exact spot where Wilson was last seen swimming. He was discovered during low tide.
Lifeguards said Wilson and his group may have been drinking Sunday before his disappearance, but his friends said he was a strong swimmer who came to the area everyday.
Those who spoke with NBC 7 Monday were distraught over the death of the father of a 7-month-old girl. Wilson is from Lakeside and is an alumnus of El Capitan High School.
San Diego Lifeguards said the conditions were rough when Wilson entered the water. Witness Harvy Osinksi told NBC 7 he spotted a young man about 100 yards from shore with a second man — possibly Wilson — about 50 yards farther out.
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"I feel bad for their parents," Osinski said. "If he's only 23 years old, I don't know what else to say other than I feel bad for them."
San Diego Lifeguards had skin divers, scuba divers and a helicopter searching for Wilson until 7 p.m. Sunday. The search was suspended due to lack of visibility and rough water.
Just before midnight, the U.S. Coast Guard diverted a cutter from routine patrol to search the area.
As of dawn Monday, an MH-60 Jayhawk and a 45-foot boat began searching the area again for any sign of Wilson.
