UPDATE 1 p.m., Monday, Oct. 20:
Wrightsville Beach Police identified the man found dead on the beach strand Friday, Oct. 17, as 50-year-old Daniel G. Lloyd. In a Monday, Oct. 20 press release WBPD stated the cause of death was still unknown pending an autopsy report.
Diana Zeunen, WBPD assistant to the chief, said Lloyd had no registered address but was from the greater Wilmington area.
UPDATE at 4:30 p.m.
Wrightsville Beach Police Chief Dan House said investigators are have narrowed down the identity of the man found dead on Wrightsville’s beach strand around 8:30 a.m., Friday, Oct. 17.
The only item investigators could use to find any leads on the man’s identity was a Bible found near him. The Bible had the name of a man that is believed to be the brother of the dead man written inside, along with other names of family members.
House said the brother has not yet identified the body and a fingerprint comparison analysis has not been completed so he was reluctant to confirm the man’s name. If it is the man WBPD suspects, that person has a Burgaw address and the brother lives in Wilmington.
ORIGINAL POST at 9:00 a.m.
Wrightsville Beach Police Department is investigating the body of a deceased male found on the beach this morning around 8:30 a.m. by Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue near Public Beach Access No. 31. at Chadbourn Street. The victim was discovered lying face down on a blanket. Personal effects, a bag and a pair of shoes, were located nearby.
Wrightsville Beach Police Chief Dan House said Wrightsville Beach park ranger Shannon Slocum saw the man enjoying the beach Thursday, Oct. 17, exactly where he was found dead this morning.
However, while passing by the man again around 8:25 a.m., Friday, Oct. 17, Slocum decided to stop because something appeared out of the ordinary.
With nothing to help WBPD identify him like identification or car keys, House said he is a white male that appears to be around 50 years old. Officers are checking the license plates of some of the cars parked in the area to see if they can find any leads.
House said he did not think there was any foul play in the man’s death and he appeared to have died from natural causes like a heart attack or stroke.
While identifying the man could take days, House said the medical examiner’s report as to the exact cause of death could take up to a month.
Police are securing both Public Beach Access No. 31 and 32. First responders are on scene. More details coming.
