Body Found on Long Beach Shore Identified

Medical examiner defers cause of death, police say no signs of foul play

Apr. 17, 2026 at 8:41pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single, unidentified personal item found at the crime scene, such as a wallet, keys, or piece of clothing, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the investigation into an unattended death.The discovery of an unidentified body on the Long Beach shore raises troubling questions about the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.Long Beach Today

The body of a 40-year-old man named Lee Nielson that washed ashore in Long Beach earlier this week has been identified by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's office, though his cause of death remains unclear. The Long Beach Police Department stated that the body showed no signs of foul play.

Why it matters

This incident raises questions about the circumstances surrounding Nielson's death and the need for further investigation to determine the cause, even if no foul play is suspected. It also highlights the importance of proper identification and notification of next of kin in cases involving unattended deaths.

The details

The body of the middle-aged man was discovered on Alamitos Beach in Long Beach around midday on Tuesday. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's office has since identified the man as 40-year-old Lee Nielson, though his city of residence was not provided. The medical examiner deferred listing Nielson's cause of death, but the Long Beach Police Department said the body showed no signs of foul play.

  • The body was discovered on Alamitos Beach around midday on Tuesday, April 15, 2026.
  • The body was identified by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's office on Friday, April 17, 2026.

The players

Lee Nielson

A 40-year-old man whose body washed ashore in Long Beach.

Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office

The office responsible for identifying the body and deferring the cause of death.

Long Beach Police Department

The law enforcement agency that stated the body showed no signs of foul play.

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What’s next

The medical examiner's office will continue to investigate the cause of Lee Nielson's death, and the Long Beach Police Department will assist in the investigation if any suspicious circumstances are uncovered.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of proper identification and investigation of unattended deaths, even when foul play is not initially suspected, in order to provide closure for the victim's family and community.