21-Year-Old North County Man Drowns at Carlsbad State Beach

The body found today was that of a 21-year-old Vista man who apparently drowned at Carlsbad State Beach.

The body of David Velasco was identified by his brother, Fernando, authorities said.

Velasco was wading in the surf near Pine Avenue with his 18-year-old brother when he disappeared about 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Carlsbad Fire Department.

Neither of the brothers could swim, and the stretch of beach where the victim went missing was not patrolled by lifeguards, Deputy Chief Mike Lopez said. The lifeguard tower closed about 45 minutes before Velasco went missing, authorities said.

The search was largely called off after about two hours, but U.S. Coast Guard personnel continued to search until about 1 a.m., fire officials said. Lifeguards resumed the recovery effort this morning, and the body was found less than two miles north, about 6 a.m., according to police and fire officials.