Police in California are investigating after a former pro surfer’s body washed up on a beach.
The Santa Barbara Police Department received a call Saturday afternoon that 48-year-old Chris Brown’s body was discovered about a mile from Hendry’s Beach, news station KSBY reported.
Detectives said the one-time surfing standout’s cause of death is under investigation and foul play hasn’t been ruled out.
Brown had no identification on him when he was discovered dead near the shoreline, officials said.
“It would be nice to know what happened,” friend Mike Jones told KSBY. “He was real healthy and seemed happy last time I saw him and it doesn’t make sense that he’s deceased now.”
Friends said Brown’s pro surfing career flourished in the ’90s and he’d since become a commercial fisherman.
“Chris didn’t have any fear at all. He was always just like, ‘no, we’re going out there, let’s do this,’ doesn’t matter how big [the waves were],” Jones told the news station.
The surfer reportedly leaves behind a daughter and wife.
A GoFundMe page was created to raise money for his funeral.
“He was one of the most positive people I have ever known,” said Erin McKeown, who created the GoFundMe. “[Brown] had the biggest smile you will ever see which was infectious.”