An Escondido man reported missing after he stood on top of a pier railing and fell into the ocean was found dead in the water off Oceanside Monday, the San Diego Medical Examiner's Office confirmed.
Lifeguards spotted the body of Paul Ventura, 20, floating in the ocean near the Oceanside Pier just after noon Monday, nine days after the man fell from the pier.
On May 25, Ventura was hanging out with a group of friends when he tried standing on top of a railing, according to Oceanside Harbor Police Sgt. Josh Morris. He then lost his balance and fell into the ocean at around 3:30 a.m.
Witnesses told police Ventura was attempting to take a selfie.
Nearly six hours later, crews with the Oceanside Police Department, the Oceanside Lifeguards, and the U.S Coast Guard had yet to find Ventura and called off the search and rescue mission.
On Monday, a body washed ashore near the Oceanside Pier at around 12:30 p.m., according to Oceanside Police Department Lt. Aaron Doyle.
The medical examiner confirmed Ventura's death, saying he accidentially fell into the pier.
