Famed surfboard designer hanged himself, coroner says

Robert Russell Brown, who had been shaping custom surfboards in Newport Beach since the 1960s, has died. He was 63.

Brown hanged himself, the Orange County coroner's office said. He was pronounced dead at 3:08 p.m. Saturday at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach.

The official cause of death was listed as a ligature hanging, according to the coroner's office.

Brown was known for his handmade surfboards and had been part of the surf community since opening his shop, Russell Surfboards, on the Balboa Peninsula in 1967, according to Times Community News.

To friends and family, Brown was known as "The King" and jokingly called "Gremmy" by some, said his stepson-in-law Kenny Milton.

ALSO:

Joe Francis, bodyguard charged in Hollywood party altercation

Violence at Candlestick Park, Dodger Stadium spurs legislation

Mother of thrown baby placed on immigration hold, suicide watch

-- Lauren Williams, Times Community News 

Image: Map shows location of Russell Surfobards in Newport Beach. Source: Google Maps