Body of missing Ohio man, Christopher Mondiek, found on Santa Cruz island
The body of a 23-year-old Dublin Ohio man was found on the beach of Santa Cruz Island in California Tuesday morning.
According to the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office, the body of Christopher Anthony Mondiek was found by members of the National Park Service and the Santa Barbara and Ventura County Search and Rescue teams.
Chris Mondiek
The National Park Service was notified by a private boating company in the Ventura Harbor that Mondiek had not returned from an overnight trip to Santa Cruz Island on Monday.
Mondiek’s vehicle was found in the Ventura Harbor parking lot, according to the sheriff’s office.
A search helicopter was sent to the island on Monday but was forced back because of a storm.
Search crews returned to the island on Tuesday and found Mondiek’s body below a steep cliff, officials said.
“Investigators believe his death was caused by a fall from one of the cliffs,” the release said.
Mondiek’s death remained under investigation.
