By Khalida Sarwari
The body of a 30-year-old autistic man who went missing from Santa Cruz last week was found this morning at Marina State Beach, Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Cmdr. Mike Richards said.
Erik Lippmann was found dead at the beach about 8 a.m., Richards said. He was reported missing April 21 after apparently leaving his home in the 1200 block of Seabright Avenue in Santa Cruz at about 2 a.m. that day, according to Santa Cruz police.
A search and rescue team from the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office was sent to the area, but the team did not find him after a search that lasted for a day and a half, police said.
An initial investigation did not indicate how Lippmann died, Richards said. An autopsy will be conducted Friday to determine his cause of death.
Richards said it appeared Lippmann had ended up in the water and then washed up on the beach, but it was not clear whether he was pushed or had gone into the water voluntarily.
Richard said Lippmann’s body revealed some signs of trauma.
“This appears to be a tragic accident,” Richard said. “The injuries could be a result of rocks.”
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death.