By Eric Heinz
Update, 11:10 a.m., Nov. 15: At 11 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 15, Orange County Sheriff’s Department officials confirmed the man found dead on Saturday, Nov. 14 in a drainage channel near the baseball fields at San Clemente High School is Nick Stevens, 22, who had been reported missing in San Clemente since Nov. 6.
The family of the deceased has been notified, said Carrie Braun, public affairs manager for OCSD.
The cause of death is yet to be determined.
See missing person story: www.sanclementetimes.com/missing-person-nick-stevens-22/
No foul play is suspected at this time, and an autopsy will be conducted by Orange County Coroner’s Office on Monday. A press release sent by OCSD yesterday said it is being investigated as a “suspicious” death.
Stevens had been working in San Clemente for the last two months at C2 Collaborative. He had recently graduated from West Virginia University.
People with information related to this incident are asked to call 714.647.7000 or OC Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous at 1.855.TIP.OCCS (847.6227).
Original Story: Body of Unidentified Dead Man Found in Drainage Channel Near SCHS
Updated: 4:22 p.m. on Nov. 14
By Eric Heinz
The body of a man yet to be identified was found by Orange County Sheriff’s Department around noon on Saturday, Nov. 14 in a drainage channel between the San Clemente High School baseball fields and the McDonald’s off the 600 block of Avenida Pico.
The body was found by a K-9 Search and Rescue team canvassing the area since Monday, Nov. 9 in search of Nick Stevens, 22, who had been reported missing since Nov. 6. Sheriff’s deputies said they are not speculating whether the body is that of the missing person, and additional details have not yet been released.
OCSD officials also said they could not provide any information as to age or other identifying factors at this time.
“Because of the condition of the body, we’re unable to tell quite a few factors, so we really won’t be able to (report) anything until the Coroner’s Office is able to examine the body,” said Carrie Braun, public affairs manager for OCSD, adding it could be Monday before a determination is made. “They canvassed the west side of the Interstate 5 freeway because that was where the missing person was said to be last seen, and when they couldn’t find anything they moved over to the east side of the freeway.”
Homicide investigators have also been dispatched to the area to assess the incident.
“Any time a dead body is found in Orange County, the homicide investigation team responds, just in case we end up with a situation like this,” Braun said. “Since Monday, the detectives have been working tirelessly to get any information as possible on the missing person, such as surveillance video from surrounding businesses, any information they could find.”
OCSD Twitter
Approx 12:30 p.m. OCSD K9 team located deceased male in San Clemente. Investigation ongoing. No ID. pic.twitter.com/rZVq9BTOBK
— OC Sheriff, CA (@OCSD) November 15, 2015
Braun said nothing had been found regarding the missing person since he was last seen. OCSD Airship Duke had been canvassing the area as well, but she said it would be very hard for the helicopter to see a body from that angle.
As of 3:30 p.m. Saturday, OCSD Search and Rescue officials were in the area trying to retrieve the body.
Editor’s Note: This is a developing story. More information will be released once it becomes available. Stay tuned.
Is there going to be a follow-up story to this? What was the cause of death?
Hi Julie,
The toxicology report is still being conducted. We will do an update as soon as we get any information. In the meantime, you can view the status update at the Orange County Coroner’s website under updated press releases.
Thank you,
Eric Heinz, city editor
any update on the tox report?
I’d also like to know what killed the “known homeless” man at Poche. I live in a North Beach neighborhood and I can tell you it’s not a safe place. The junkies use the trash shed to shoot up, there are bums sleeping in the bushes along the trail, and you know the state of 7-11. For the first time in my 20 years as a resident I recently decided against a walk alone at night because I felt unsafe.