Death Investigation Underway Along PCH In Santa Monica
SANTA MONICA (CBSLA.com) — Authorities investigated Friday the circumstances surrounding a dead body found along the Pacific Coast Highway.
According to the Santa Monica Police Department, officers were sent around 3:05 a.m. to the PCH near 4th Street, for report of a dead body.
Once on scene, officers located the victim's body in the northbound lanes.
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A preliminary investigation revealed a commuter reported seeing a shoe in the road. When the driver took a second look, they spotted the dead body in one of the lanes.
CBS2's Louisa Hodge explained the coroner and forensics team arrived on scene shortly after 5:00 a.m. to assist in the investigation.
Police secured a perimeter near a pedestrian overpass located near Wilshire Boulevard, and also on top of the bluff.
Due to lack of physical evidence, officers said they are treating this as a crime scene.
Both directions of the PCH — from the California incline, to the 10 Freeway — and the westbound lanes of the 10 Freeway were shut down for most of the morning. Traffic was diverted at Lincoln Boulevard.
Authorities reopened the area around 8:00 a.m., officials explained.
Officers said they are looking into the possibility that the victim may have fallen or jumped off of the bluff, or could have been struck by a vehicle in the roadway.
The cause of the victim's death remains under investigation.
No further information is available at this time.
