Body Found on Beach Identified

By Mark McGuigan
Staff Writer

August 25 -- The body of a man that washed ashore on a Santa Monica Beach early last week has been identified as that of David Anthony Nieto, who was homeless, according to the Los Angeles County Coroners office.

Nieto suffered “massive head trauma” but the exact cause of the injury remains unclear, According to Coroners Office spokesman David Campbell.

One consideration is that he “may have been hit by a boat propeller,” Campbell said.

Although Nieto was of no fixed address, he does have a mother living in Los Angeles, officials said. No personal effects were found on the body.

The body of 51-year old Nieto was first spotted in the surf near the 1300 block of Pacific Coast Highway in the early hours of Monday, August 18 and was recovered by police after responding to a call shortly before 5 a.m.

Nieto was wearing ``street clothes" -- shorts, a shirt and socks -- but had "no shoes,'' according to Lifeguard Capt. David Story, who went to the scene.