Point Reyes National Seashore-Drakes Beach Missing Surfer Located Deceased- Identity Released
The decedent has been positively identified as:
Darren Michael Smith, a 55-year-old male from Fairfax, CA
On Wednesday May 01, 2024, at approximately 2:36 PM it was reported to 9-1-1 a surfer was possibly washed out to sea within the Point Reyes National Seashore at Drakes Beach. Reportedly the subject was last seen at approximately 10:00 AM and a surfboard, later determined to belong to the subject washed ashore at Drakes Beach at approximately 1:00 PM. The people who located the surfboard were unable to locate a subject in the water and contacted authorities. Multiple first responder agencies including the Point Reyes National Seashore (U.S. National Park Service); United States Coast Guard (USCG); Marin County Fire Department; Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Helicopter Henry-One; Marin County Sheriff’s Office Deputies and Marin County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue (SAR) Team were dispatched to the area a began an exhaustive search by land and sea for the subject. At approximately 5:33 PM a lifeless body was located floating in the ocean waters approximately 2.5 miles northwest of the Drakes Beach Parking area. The subject was recovered by U.S. Coast Guard Helicopter and was unconscious, unresponsive, and exhibited signs of physiologic death. At 5:35 PM his death was pronounced without resuscitative aid provided and he was transported via air to an alternate location so his death investigation could be begun. The decedent has been positively identified as:
Darren Michael Smith, a 55-year-old male from Fairfax, CA
A forensic postmortem examination with routine toxicology testing will be completed on Friday, May 3, 2024. The cause and manner of death will be pending the conclusion of the investigations being completed by the Point Reyes National Seashore (U.S. National Park Service) 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 our Non Emergency Communications Center at 415-479-2311.
The subject had been recently arrested and was facing filed criminal charges. For additional information, see previous MCSO press release dated April 30th, 2024.
The Marin County Sheriff’s Office and personnel of the Coroner Division offers our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Smith.
Roger G. Fielding Chief Deputy Coroner 415-473-6043