The day began at around 7:30am when a surfer reported spotting a body in the water near the OB Pier. San Diego lifeguards deployed several vehicles and a helicopter, but challenging weather conditions forced the initial search to halt just before 9am. Specialized dive teams equipped with advanced sonar technology then took over, scouring the underwater terrain.
At approximately 2pm, a body was discovered near Abbott Street in the Cape May Avenue Beach area, about a mile north of the OB Pier. A man visiting from the Bay Area with his son spotted it and alerted lifeguards, noting that it appeared to have been in the water for some time. Lifeguards recovered the body shortly after and turned it over to the medical examiner for identification and an autopsy. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether this is the same body seen earlier near the pier or if it belongs to Danny Marron.
Marron, an Arizona resident, was last seen kayaking near Mission Beach on February 14. An experienced paddler, psychology professor at Arizona Western College, and youth ministry pastor, he was well-versed in San Diego’s waterways, having raced across the Catalina Channel and from Molokai to Maui. His wife, Dr. Eryka Arizaga, described his Valentine’s Day outing as a "typical paddle." The only evidence of his whereabouts since has been his snapped-in-half OC1 outrigger kayak, which washed ashore. After an extensive three-day search, the U.S. Coast Guard suspended efforts on Monday, leaving his fate uncertain.
Dr. Arizaga told Fox5SanDiego that the search focused on finding three items: Marron himself, his paddle, and a waterproof pouch containing his phone. The sudden disappearance of such a seasoned kayaker has fueled speculation that unpredictable ocean conditions may have overwhelmed him.
The recovery has heightened hopes of closure, though officials caution that the investigation is ongoing. Dive teams continue to navigate tough underwater conditions with sonar, seeking clues to confirm the identity of the deceased and the circumstances of their death. The medical examiner’s findings will determine whether this discovery resolves the search for Marron or points to a different story beneath the waves.
As San Diego awaits answers, Marron’s loved ones and the community hold onto hope, tempered by the grim reality of the ocean’s depths.
Dr. Arizaga told Fox5SanDiego that the search focused on finding three items: Marron himself, his paddle, and a waterproof pouch containing his phone. The sudden disappearance of such a seasoned kayaker has fueled speculation that unpredictable ocean conditions may have overwhelmed him.
The recovery has heightened hopes of closure, though officials caution that the investigation is ongoing. Dive teams continue to navigate tough underwater conditions with sonar, seeking clues to confirm the identity of the deceased and the circumstances of their death. The medical examiner’s findings will determine whether this discovery resolves the search for Marron or points to a different story beneath the waves.
As San Diego awaits answers, Marron’s loved ones and the community hold onto hope, tempered by the grim reality of the ocean’s depths.
Originally published on February 19, 2025 and updated several times throughout the day.
