Body Discovered at Bottom of Cliff in Palos Verdes Estates
PALOS VERDES ESTATES, Calif. — Authorities are investigating after the body of an adult male was discovered at the bottom of a cliff along the Palos Verdes coastline Saturday morning.
Emergency crews were dispatched at approximately 10:00 a.m. on August 30, 2025, to the 1400 block of Paseo Del Mar, after reports that a body had been spotted on the rocks below.
When first responders arrived, they confirmed that the individual, believed to be an adult male, was deceased. Witnesses told authorities that the body may have been there for several days, though that detail has not been officially confirmed.
The discovery followed an unusual series of events earlier in the morning. Initially, emergency crews were called for a possible fisherman in distress near the cliffs, but that rescue call was canceled when responders determined the concern was a dead seal. Shortly afterward, a separate report came in about a body at the base of the cliff, and the emergency call was reinstated.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department, working alongside the Palos Verdes Estates Police Department, deployed lifeguard boats to recover the body. Firefighters rappelled down the steep cliff using ropes to reach the victim and secure the remains. Once the body was prepared for removal, the team requested lifeguard boats to transport the victim from the rocky shoreline to Redondo Beach Harbor, where the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office took custody.
A rescue helicopter had also been requested for an aerial recovery, but after delays, the decision was made to use watercraft for the removal operation.
Officials have not released the identity of the deceased, pending notification of next of kin. The cause of death, how long the body had been at the base of the cliff, and whether foul play was involved all remain under investigation.
The area along Paseo Del Mar is known for its dramatic cliffs and sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, but it has also been the site of past accidents, falls, and emergency rescues due to the hazardous terrain.
Handling agencies included the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Palos Verdes Estates Police Department, and the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone with information to contact local law enforcement.