Floating Body Presumed That of Man Lost in Sea
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NEWPORT BEACH — A body recovered off the Balboa Peninsula on Wednesday was tentatively identified as that of an Anaheim man who was swept out to sea last week.
Lifeguards spotted the floating body at 1:35 p.m. about 250 yards from shore at 24th Street, said Newport Beach Sgt. Doug Parmentier.
Based on the location of the body and its condition, deputy coroner officials said they tentatively have identified the body as that of Lorenzo Serrato Cornejo, 18.
Further tests of fingerprints and dental records will be necessary before the man can be positively identified, officials said.
On April 22, Cornejo was swimming with two friends northwest of the pier about 11:45 a.m. when strong currents began pulling the threesome away from the coast, lifeguard officials said.
One of the swimmers made it back to shore, but Cornejo and a 20-year-old friend struggled. Steve Gorme, a surfer, went to the aid of both men, helping them swim closer to shore. Gorme managed to help the 20-year-old back to shore but could not return in time to aid Cornejo, who was apparently pulled away by a strong undercurrent.
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