Police are probing the latest cliff death in Palos Verdes Estates in Los Angeles after an unidentified man was discovered near Paseo Del Mar. This incident follows multiple similar events, including the discovery of human remains over the past two years, prompting concerns over the safety of the cliffside environment. Authorities have confirmed that no foul play was involved in previous incidents, but the repeated finds have raised significant safety concerns for the community. The terrain along the cliffs is described as unstable, making the area particularly hazardous. Despite the risks, the cliffs remain largely unfenced and accessible, drawing attention to the need for enhanced public safety measures. Ongoing investigations are aimed at identifying the man found recently and understanding the broader implications of these tragedies.
The recent discoveries have sparked renewed discussions about the hazards of the region’s rugged coastline. In 2024, a passerby walking along Rat Beach reported finding what appeared to be a human skull and several bones during low tide. Investigators confirmed the remains were human and began working with the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office to determine the identity and cause of death. Later, on Christmas Day 2024, officers were called to the area after a partial human leg washed ashore, with more remains found days later. These incidents have led to increased efforts by authorities to secure the area and improve safety for residents and visitors.
Around the same time, several identified remains were recovered along the city’s shoreline since 2023. According to a 2025 news release, police announced that several of the remains had been positively identified through DNA testing. The identified victims include Mark Paulson, 68, whose femur was found in January 2023 and linked to a 2021 boating disappearance off Redondo Beach. Raymond Simeroth, 57, was identified from a skull and bone recovered in November 2024, and Zhaoliang Tang, 62, confirmed through DNA from two partial lower extremities as a missing fisherman. In all cases, police stated there were no signs of foul play.
These deaths have raised awareness about the dangers of the area’s cliffs, which remain largely unfenced and accessible. In 2022, a report highlighted that between 2010 and 2015, officers responded to 31 incidents, including suicides, rescues and injuries, along the city’s coastal cliffs. The Los Angeles County Lifeguard Division reported 9,286 ocean rescues in 2021, including cliff rescue operations. In 2022, four people fell from the same cliffside, one of whom died, prompting warnings from officials about unstable ground. The landscape is described as extremely dangerous, with no fencing and a steep, unstable slope.
Despite these risks, the cliffs remain one of California’s wealthiest neighborhoods, with a median household income of about $202,569 and home values around $2.69 million. The community continues to face debate over how to balance scenic preservation with public safety. Efforts to improve safety have included working with Habitat for Humanity to deconstruct and demolish city-owned structures at Bluff Cove, clearing the site for permanent open space. However, the recent incidents have underscored the need for continued attention to the safety of this remote and picturesque stretch of coastline.
Ongoing investigations are being conducted by the PVEPD and the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office to determine the identity of the man found recently. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the police department at 310-378-4211. Additionally, Fox News Digital reached out to the police department and mayor’s office for further comment, indicating that the community remains vigilant in addressing the ongoing safety concerns of this affluent coastal area.