Fund set up for Williams

A Huntington Beach woman has set up a memorial fund for the family of Dane Williams, a marketing intern for Hurley International whose body was apparently found Tuesday morning in San Diego.

Teresa Ifland, whose son was a schoolmate and longtime friend of Williams, set up an account at Washington Mutual Wednesday to benefit his family.

The Dane Williams Memorial Fund can be accessed at any of the bank’s locations.

“We just love him,” Ifland said. “He was a part of our family.”

Williams, 23, disappeared about 2 a.m. Saturday after a trade show in downtown San Diego, and a body matching his physical description was found Tuesday morning.

Even though police had not officially identified the body a day later, there appeared to be little doubt in the minds of friends and colleagues that Williams had died.

Joe McElroy, the director of global branding for Hurley, issued a statement Wednesday on behalf of the Costa Mesa-based apparel company.

“Our sympathies and support are foremost with Dane’s family, and with everyone at Hurley who is dealing with this loss,” the statement read in part. “Many of us at Hurley had helped in the search for Dane over the weekend, and no one was prepared for this shocking outcome.”

Gaby Doung, a former music content manager for Hurley, described Williams as a hardworking intern who had an easygoing manner but a firm work ethic.

“He was a laid-back gentleman, very focused and driven,” she said. “He knew what he wanted. That’s the vibe I got.”

An autopsy was done Wednesday, but Lt. Kevin Rooney said the results could take weeks to come back. He noted that the body was found wrapped in a blanket about 6:30 a.m. Tuesday with no signs of physical trauma, and officers believed someone had moved it from the scene of death.

The alley where the body was found is almost exactly seven miles from the Gaslamp Quarter neighborhood where Williams was last seen Saturday — a stretch that Rooney didn’t consider likely walking distance. He said police were busy checking surveillance cameras around the area for any clues to Williams’ route.

“We do believe he didn’t die there, that he was left there,” Rooney said.

The account number for the Dane Williams Memorial Fund at Washington Mutual is 3403116755.

MICHAEL MILLER may be reached at (714) 966-4617 or at michael.miller@latimes.com.