BY Merit McCrea
TAJIGUAS – Capt. Mathew Diamond, son of Capt. Jason and Jaime Diamond at Santa Barbara Landing, was pulling traps off Arroyo Quemada along the Tajiguas Coast west of Santa Barbara when he and his crewman spotted something unusual floating tangled in the kelp line. On closer inspection, expecting to find a dead sea lion, what they discovered was the body of a man.
It appeared to have been chewed on by a large shark, although actual cause of death remains unclear, as does the man’s identity. The gruesome details are both hands were missing, as well as a leg, with large bite arcs incised into his torso, according to Landing partner James Tennant who had seen images taken at the time of discovery.
Diamond immediately notified the authorities of the discovery via marine radio, channel 16. First responders arrived soon after.
The deceased was wearing a T-shirt and apparently not a diver. The investigation is ongoing, with little more known.