Officials release cause of death for body found near La Conchita

UPDATE

Wednesday morning Ventura County officials released more information about this man’s death. The coroner says the death is ruled a suicide from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The man is identified as 65-year-old Santa Barbara resident, Bradley Wayne Stevens.

Ventura County Sheriff’s Dive Team is back searching the ocean along the southbound side Highway 101.

The dive team is looking for the gun Steven used so it does not end up in anyone else’s hands.

An earlier version of this story mistakenly identified the victim as having the last name “Steven.” Investigators have since corrected the identity and that correction has been added to this update.

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ORIGINAL STORY

The body of a man found on the beach near U.S. Highway 101 southbound just south of Bates Road in Ventura County, has prompted a police investigation in the area.

A Ventura County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson said the body was discovered at the shoreline shortly after 1 p.m. Tuesday. A cyclist riding along the bike path between Bates Road and La Conchita spotted the body washing up against the rocks, according to investigators.

First responders taped off the bike path above the beach for the investigation. Cyclists were being turned back.

A witness told NewsChannel 3’s Tracy Lehr that they saw investigators pull the body from the water at about 1:30 p.m.

It’s unknown if foul play is suspected but it was reported that the victim may have suffered a possible head injury. The death is being investigated as suspicious.

There was a two-car crash during the investigation that caused a major traffic backup.

This story has been updated with the most recent information.