Body Of 20-Year-Old Missing Man Found In Irvine Flood Channel Near LA Fitness

IRVINE, CA — The body of a 20-year-old man reported missing Tuesday was found in a flood control channel in Irvine, the Irvine Police Department said.

Christian Nathang Cruz, an Irvine resident, was reported missing at around 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21. His mother said that she dropped him off at the L.A. Fitness located at 3960 Barranca at 6:30 p.m.

When his mother went to pick him up at 9:30 p.m., she could not find Cruz. She searched for her son for about two hours by using a phone tracking application, which showed his phone in the area of L.A. Fitness.

According to officers, Cruz's mother contacted the IPD when she was unable to locate her son and told officers that Cruz was developmentally disabled but able to communicate verbally.

Wednesday morning, Cruz's phone was found inside the men's locker room at the L.A. Fitness. Surveillance footage at the gym showed the young man leaving the gym alone at about 8 p.m. Tuesday night.

He was seen walking toward the San Diego Creek Trail in an eastern direction, authorities said. About 15-20 minutes later, he was seen walking back toward L.A. Fitness and down into the flood control channel by himself.

His body was found at 11:56 a.m. Wednesday, roughly three miles from where he. had last been seen.

"The Orange County Fire Authority and members of the Urban Search and Rescue Team responded to recover Cruz from the water," an IPD spokesperson said. "We are sad to report this outcome and wish the Cruz family comfort and strength."

Residents with any information related to this incident were asked to please contact Detective Mudassar Mahmood at 949-724-7244 or email mmahmood@cityofirvine.org.