Retiring El Morro Elementary Principal Dies In His Sleep Tuesday

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — An El Morro Elementary School principal died in his sleep Tuesday, Laguna Beach Unified School District officials said in a statement.

Principal Chris Duddy was due to retire from his position at El Morro on June 30 after serving Laguna Beach schools for 24 years. He was 57.

"LBUSD and [Superintendent Jason] Viloria are deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved Principal, Mr. Chris Duddy. Mr. Duddy has been an incredible partner and leader in our El Morro family and Laguna Beach Unified School District," LBUSD Spokesperson Kayla Holmes told Patch. "This is incredibly shocking news to share and we are all working diligently to support our El Morro teachers, staff, and students. We also share our deepest sorrows and sympathy with Mr. Duddy’s wife, children, and family during this extremely difficult time."

Crisis responders were on site at El Morro Elementary School Wednesday to support students and staff in processing the loss, Holmes said.

Information surrounding Duddy's cause of death was not immediately available.

Duddy got his start in Laguna Beach when he was hired to serve as a Thurston Middle School assistant principal by LBUSD in 1998. School board member James Kelly told the Laguna Beach Indy that Duddy cared for El Morro students as if they were his own family.

“I think it’s a tragic loss for all of us. He was such a great educator, a wonderful friend, and he had earned the right to a retirement,” Kelly told the Laguna Beach Indy. “I will always remember his sense of humor and his steady management of his school and making sure it was properly staffed.”