Body of Missing Swimmer Found on Rocks Near Three Arch Bay

A body that was found on the rocks near Three Arch Bay beach in Laguna Beach was positively identified today as the 18-year-old swimmer who was swept away by a wave earlier this month.

Orange County sheriff’s officials said an autopsy on the body of Anthony Parnell, of Las Vegas, will be conducted tomorrow.

The body was spotted by a resident around 4 p.m. Wednesday, Laguna Beach police Sgt. Tim Kleiser said.

Using a jet ski, Orange County sheriff’s harbor patrol ferried it to a boat and took it back to the sheriff’s station in Dana Point, Orange County sheriff’s Lt. Jeff Hallock said.

Authorities last week called off a widespread search for Parnell, who was last seen Feb. 8 in the water off Thousand Steps Beach with three friends.

Parnell’s parents, who came from Las Vegas to keep vigil here all last week during the search, said he had just enlisted in the U.S. Army.

• City News Service
• Photo Credit: Facebook
  

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