by Liz Mullen
A man found dead in the ocean at 22nd Street in Hermosa Beach early Friday, November 24, morning has been identified as Ryan A. Martin, a 42-year-old white male, who may have been a transient who frequented the South Bay area, according to Lt. Mike Gomez, of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau.
The death is being investigated as a possible homicide, suicide or accidental drowning, Gomez said.
“Nothing has been ruled out at this point, including possible suicide,” Gomez said.
It may take three to six months to determine the cause of the death, said Kelly Vail, Public Information Officer for the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner.
Martin’s immediate family has been notified of his death.
Initial reports that Martin may have suffered a gunshot to the head were inaccurate, Gomez said. There was no gunshot wound, although he did have blood and an injury on his face, Gomez said.
“There appeared to be a small abrasion on his face,” Gomez said. “Nothing that stood out that would be a blow that had caused death,” he said.
Martin was found unclothed in the surf off 22nd Street at about 7:15 a.m. on Friday Nov. 24 by Frank Kessler, a local resident, during Kessler’s daily surf check.
Kessler, who pulled Martin’s body from the surf, told Easy Reader on Monday, November 27, that he pulled Martin from the ocean by his legs, face down and turned him onto his back. He then began to administer CPR, but stopped when it was clear he was dead.
“From what I saw he had a wound on both sides of his temples,” Kessler said, though he did not closely examine the wounds.
The man’s face was intact, but purple. His eyes were open and they were black, Kessler said.
Lt. Gomez said it did not appear Martin had been in the ocean for long. “It looked, at most, like a few hours,” Gomez said.
Anyone who may have seen Martin in the ocean, or has information regarding the incident is asked to call Los Angeles County Homicide at (323) 890-5500. ER
