Update: Identity released of Avila Beach drowning victim
Update posted June 20:
Death appears to be accidental, says sheriff’s office
– The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office Coroner’s Unit is releasing the identification of a man whose body was recovered from the waters off Avila Beach on Sunday. The man is identified as 40-year-old Christopher Neil Chisholm of Burbank, Calif.
It’s believed Chisholm fell out of his kayak. A friend who was kayaking with Chisholm reported that he tried to help but was unable to rescue him.
The body of the victim was found approximately two hours later. At this time, the death appears to be accidental.
An autopsy will be conducted to determine the manner and cause of death.
Original story posted June 19:
Body recovered in Avila Beach after reported drowning
– On Sunday, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office received a call about a possible drowning in the waters off Avila Beach.
A male subject reported he had been kayaking off the coast of Avila Beach with a friend when that friend fell out of his kayak. The man reportedly paddled over to him and found his friend unresponsive in the water. The man tried to help but was unable to rescue him. The man then made it to shore where he reported the incident.
Sheriff’s detectives, Cal Fire, Harbor Patrol, CHP, and the Coast Guard began searching for the missing kayaker.
At approximately 7 p.m., the body of the kayaker was located. At this time, the death appears to be accidental, the sheriff’s office says. The identification of the kayaker is pending notification of the next of kin.
