On Christmas Day, Sunday December 25, 2022, at approximately 08:00 AM, Mr. Chebib reportedly launched his fishing boat from the Black Point Boat Launch in Novato for a day of recreational fishing within the San Pablo Bay near China Camp State Park. At approximately 3:30 PM, Mr. Chebib communicated with family members he had planned on returning to the boat launch but failed to arrive.  On Monday, December 26, 2022, his boat was discovered adrift near Point San Pablo without the subject aboard.  An intensive search was completed by multiple first responders including the Marin County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol, Marin County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team, Marin County Fire Department, and the United States Coast Guard.  Despite extensive search efforts the subject was not located, and search efforts were suspended. 

Today, Thursday January 12, 2023, at approximately 10:04 AM, the subject’s remains were discovered by a volunteer aquatic search group, California Recovery Divers approximately one mile east of the Hamilton Wetlands within the San Pablo Bay waters. He was transported to the Black Point Boat Launch and death was confirmed by paramedics.  The volunteer recovery group had been searching the San Pablo Bay on multiple occasions since the subject’s disappearance to assist in his recovery.

The decedent has been positively identified as:                                           

William Hady CHEBIB, a 32-year-old male from Petaluma, CA

A forensic postmortem examination with toxicology testing is being completed tomorrow, Friday January 13, 2023.  The cause and manner of death will be pending the conclusion of the investigations being completed by the Marin County Sheriff’s Office and the Marin County Sheriff’s Office - Coroner Division.  No further information will be released by the Coroner Division at this time, as this is an active and ongoing investigation.  Any further questions regarding the incident should be directed to the Marin County Sheriff’s Office.

The Marin County Sheriff’s Office and personnel of the Coroner Division offers our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Chebib, and our heartfelt gratitude to all searchers including the California Recovery Divers group bringing Mr. Chebib home to his family.

CONTACT

Roger G. Fielding

Chief Deputy Coroner

415-473-6043