65-year-old found dead on beach may have fallen from steep cliff, California cops say

A 65-year-old was found dead after he likely fell off a cliff in California, officials said.

On Jan. 14, a bystander called the Mendocino Volunteer Fire Department and reported a man on the beach who wasn’t moving, according to a news release by the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies assisted in the rescue and the fire department deployed their jet-skis from the Big River Boat Launch, officials said.

The victim, later identified as Douglas Craig Shapiro, was found on the beach below a steep cliff, officials said.

An off-duty emergency room physician was in the area and conducted an assessment on Shapiro, where he was pronounced dead, officials said.

Deputies believe Shapiro’s injuries are consistent with “a great fall” and a coroner’s investigation was launched, authorities said.

Deputies do not suspect foul play and his manner of death will later be confirmed by a forensic pathologist, according to the release.

Shapiro’s family has been notified, deputies said.

Anyone with information is asked to call 707-463-4086.

Mendocino is about a 200-mile drive northwest of Sacramento.

This story was originally published January 17, 2025 at 2:13 PM with the headline "65-year-old found dead on beach may have fallen from steep cliff, California cops say."