Body found on Mendocino Coast is missing diver; second body identified

The body of a diver who disappeared last week while collecting abalone off the Mendocino Coast was found Tuesday morning, washed ashore at Moat Creek Beach, sheriff’s officials said.

David Tan Le, 57, vanished May 9 while diving near the beach, south of Point Arena. Despite searches including divers, boats and a helicopter, his body wasn’t found and efforts were called off after several days.

Le, reportedly an experienced diver, had been visiting the coast with friends and family, according to Mendocino County Sheriff’s Capt. Greg Van Patten.

A second abalone diver who died Monday north of Mendocino at Russian Gulch State Park was identified Tuesday as Kevin Francis Frewen, 57, of Carmichael, Van Patten said.

Mendocino fire officials said other divers saw Frewen had not moved from one location, and when they swam out to him he was floating face down. Frewen was pulled to shore but could not be resuscitated, fire officials said.

The cause of death is pending an autopsy, Van Patten said.