Body found off Santa Monica may be that of man who jumped off Venice Pier [Updated]

A fisherman found a body floating off Santa Monica on Sunday morning, and officials said they believe it may be that of a West Hollywood man who jumped off the Venice Pier last week during Fourth of July festivities.

Los Angeles County Lifeguard Capt. Terry Hearst said a man fishing on a boat discovered the body about 1,000 yards from shore off of Ocean Front Walk in Santa Monica about 8:10 a.m. The Lifeguard’s Baywatch team retrieved the body, which was handed over to the Los Angeles County coroner’s office.

Hearst said no identification was found on the body, but based on circumstances, he believed the victim was Brian Patrick Dunn, 31, who jumped into the ocean fully clothed  about 2:30 a.m. July 5 after a night of festivities.

At the time of the incident, officials searched on land and in the water using a Coast Guard helicopter and two rescue vessels, along with boats from the Los Angeles County fire and sheriff's departments. They suspended the search on the night of the 5th.There was a high-surf advisory in effect when Dunn jumped off the pier.

[Updated at 4:24: The Los Angeles County coroner confirmed that the body was that of Brian Patrick Dunn, 31. Family has been notified and an autopsy is scheduled for Monday.

“I have no comment other than he was a great brother and friend," said Dunn's brother, Sean Dunn, in a written statement on Facebook. "I will miss him dearly. He lived a beautiful life and touched so many, as evidenced by the outpouring of support we've seen since his passing.”]

-- Abby Sewell

Comments

[Galaxy420*]

He was drunk right?

[S]

Most likely.

[vida]

Yes, why did he jump off?

[kuruc]

no he was stoned on state sponsored free marihuana!

[Renee]

Brian was a wonderful and adventurous man. Many people jump off the pier all the time and swim back. It just so happened the surf was too rough that night. This was nothing more than an act that many people partake in on a daily/nightly basis. He will be greatly missed. T
This was a high tide, aggressive surf issue, not a drunk issue.

[Dave]

Jumping off the pier is not a normal or safe activity. Jumping off the pier into 6-8 foot surf in the dark with strong rip currents without a wetsuit and swim fins is potentially fatal, as this event clearly shows. To say that this was the result of bad conditions, and not alcohol, is akin to saying that a drunk driving fatality at night only happened because the sun wasn't shining. A lack of good judgment led Brian to jump into a heaving sea. I give him the benefit of doubt in assuming that if he had been sober his judgment would have been better.