Police discovered the body of a 31-year-old woman in Manhattan Beach, California, hours after her boyfriend reported her missing on Friday, January 26, 2024.
The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as Jennifer Hanie.
A lifeguard made the discovery near the 2300 block of The Strand on Manhattan Beach around 10:10 a.m.
According to the Manhattan Beach Police Department (MBPD), her boyfriend, whose name has not been released, last saw her near the waterline. She became separated from him and their group during an early morning walk on the beach.
They searched for Hanie for about two hours before notifying the police. She was reported missing at about 6:40 a.m., shortly before sunrise.
Following the missing person report, MBPD immediately began an investigation, collaborating with nearby agencies to find any matching reports.
The Los Angeles County Lifeguards and the United States Coast Guard conducted extensive searches of the beach and ocean.
Details surrounding Hanie’s death remain unclear. Initial reports suggested the body might have been found off the coast, near the 1300 block of the waterline, but it is not confirmed if Hanie washed ashore.
MBPD said that Hanie was positively identified through photographs and by her next of kin. The department is calling for anyone with information about her death to contact Detective Sergeant Taylor Klosowski at the Manhattan Beach Police Department.
Bob Beverley, owner of the Shellback Tavern on the pier, noticed unusual activity on the beach early in the morning and later while heading to work. “They discovered a body on the beach, which is tragically sad. It seems to be a young girl,” Beverley remarked.
He mentioned that Hanie was believed to be staying in a nearby vacation rental and had possibly gone for an early morning swim. “It’s quite rare in late January,” he continued. “It’s typically very calm here, and the surf has been quite strong.”
Brenda Bush-Campos expressed her condolences on the police department’s Facebook page, writing, “Absolutely heartbreaking. Prayers to the family and friends.”
The investigation into Jennifer Hanie’s death is active, as authorities seek to piece together the events that led to her death.
