Morro Bay Police confirmed that a body found in the Back Bay waters in Los Osos was that of a Morro Bay man who had been missing for over two weeks.
Cmdr. Bryan Millard reported that the body found Feb. 7 was Avery Danley, 22, who was reported missing on Jan. 22. Danley was last seen the previous night after dining with friends. His kayak, used to transit from his boat to shore, was reportedly found a couple of days later adrift in the harbor by the harbor patrol.
He lived on a boat moored in the harbor off Marina Square, according to the Harbor Department. His boat has since been taken to the department’s dock at the North T-pier.
The body was found far in the Back Bay near Shark’s Inlet, which is south of Baywood Park and several miles from his mooring.
Cmdr. Millard said the Coroner’s Office did not find “any sign of criminal wrongdoing associated with Danley’s death, although the case remains open and ongoing.”
Danley was from Turlock, Calif., and his family had come to town to lead a search for him, with several local citizens joining their efforts. Flyers were posted in town.
If he indeed accidentally drowned, he would not be the first person to do so in the harbor, which while it normally seems pretty calm and even tranquil on the surface, can have strong tidal currents reaching as high as 6-7 knots.
And the coldness of the water can quickly cause hypothermia and death within just a few minutes.