Body of Man Recovered After Suspected Oceanside Drowning

Lifeguards and police searched for hours before finding the victim near Lifeguard Tower 12.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 12:08am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Oceanside lifeguards and police responded early Saturday morning to a report of a missing man who was last seen swimming in the ocean near the Oceanside Pier. After an initial search was suspended, the man's body was later discovered in the water and efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.

Why it matters

Drowning incidents, especially in the early morning hours when lifeguards are not actively monitoring the water, highlight the importance of water safety and the need for caution when entering the ocean without supervision.

The details

Oceanside's Lifeguard Division and Police Department initiated a search around 4:30 a.m. after receiving a report of a missing swimmer. The search was suspended around 5:30 a.m. when the victim could not be located. Several hours later, lifeguards discovered an unresponsive adult male matching the earlier description in the water near Lifeguard Tower 12 at Oceanside Harbor Beach. Resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, and the man was pronounced dead at the hospital.

  • The initial report of a missing swimmer came in around 4:30 a.m.
  • The search was suspended around 5:30 a.m.
  • The victim's body was discovered around 10:50 a.m.

The players

Oceanside Fire Department's Lifeguard Division

The local fire department's lifeguard unit that responded to the initial report and conducted the search.

Oceanside Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that assisted in the search and investigation.

Blake Dorse

Division Chief of the Oceanside Lifeguard Division, who provided a statement on the incident.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'The Oceanside Lifeguard Division reminds the public to exercise caution when entering the ocean, especially during early morning hours or when lifeguards are not actively monitoring the water. Always swim near an open lifeguard tower and avoid entering the water alone.'”

— Blake Dorse, Division Chief, Oceanside Lifeguard Division

What’s next

Authorities will continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the drowning incident and work to identify the victim.

The takeaway

This tragic event underscores the importance of water safety and the need for swimmers to exercise caution, especially in unguarded areas and during times when lifeguards are not present. The Oceanside community will likely review its water safety protocols to prevent similar drowning incidents in the future.