Death near Newport Pier ruled a suicide...

Death near Newport Pier ruled a suicide

The death of an Anaheim man found floating under the Newport Pier

has been ruled a suicide.

The body of a man was found floating face down at about 2 p.m.

Friday between pilings of the pier, Newport Beach Sgt. Mark Everton

said. He was taken to Hoag Hospital, where he died at 3:47 a.m.

Sunday, Orange County supervising deputy coroner Rod Thomas said.

The 48-year-old man died as a result of saltwater drowning, Thomas

said. His death was ruled a suicide, he said.

It’s unclear if he jumped from the pier or entered the water

somewhere else, Everton said. People on the pier first spotted the

body and it was retrieved near 25th Street, he said.

Police found keys in the man’s pocket and located his car nearby.

Inside, they found a lengthy suicide note, Everton said. The time

written on the note was around 1:30 p.m., he said.

10 arrested during sobriety sweep

Costa Mesa police arrested 10 people on suspicion of driving under

the influence during a sobriety checkpoint Saturday.

The checkpoint, funded by a state grant, took place Saturday night

on Newport Boulevard at Flower Street. During that time, 2,788 cars

drove through the checkpoint and 717 cars were screened, police said.

Officers conducted 16 DUI investigations and towed eight cars of

unlicensed drivers, police said.

The next checkpoint is planned for the same location on March 17,

St. Patrick’s Day.

-- Marisa O’Neil