Drowned Rancho Palos Verdes Swimmer Identified

RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CA — Authorities Wednesday identified a 27-year-old swimmer whose body was found in the ocean off Rancho Palos Verdes.

Christopher Elton's body was discovered at 7:41 a.m. Tuesday near Seawall Road, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department and the coroner's office.

An autopsy was pending to pinpoint the cause of death, according to coroner's Assistant Chief Ed Winter. Elton's home town was not known, he said.

Witnesses reported hearing someone screaming for help at 6:45 p.m. Monday in the area of Portuguese Bend, the county fire department reported.

Elton was reportedly last seen at 6:50 p.m. Monday swimming with a pool flotation device near Trump National Golf Course, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

A search was initiated, but it was suspended Monday night. The body was discovered shortly after the search was resumed on Tuesday morning.

City News Service; Photo: Shutterstock