CHULA VISTA, Calif. (KGTV) - A diver discovered a body inside a drum chained to a cement block in south San Diego Bay Thursday.
The body was found after a diver discovered a white, 55-gallon drum floating near the surface of the bay just before 12:30 p.m. Thursday, according to San Diego Harbor Police (SDHP), who responded to the scene at the J Street Marina in Chula Vista. The drum was anchored to cinder blocks at the bottom of the bay.
An SDHP officer in a hazmat suit investigated the discovery and found the body inside in the barrel, which investigators believe was not in the water for very long due to lack of rust.
Officers with San Diego and Chula Vista police also responded. No further information regarding the victim, including whether the body was that of a man or woman, was immediately released.
The San Diego County Medical Examiner arrived to assist in the investigation, and detectives were searching the bay for any possible evidence.
While authorities have not officially identified the deceased person, a man was at the marina Thursday passing out fliers for Omar Medina, who has been missing for almost two weeks.
Albert Molina, a friend of Medina's family, said, "We did ask for a wellness check where he lived. Police came back and found it suspicious, and they did request that detectives start looking into this."
Investigators said they have not determined if the body discovery is in any way related to Medina's disappearance.
