NOTABLE PASSING:

One of the most tragic passings of the year was also the most mysterious, despite an outpouring of support from friends, family and the company the victim worked for: the unsolved death of Dane Williams, 23.

Last seen alive Jan. 26 leaving a San Diego nightclub, the Huntington Beach resident and Hurley International marketing intern was found dead, wrapped in a blanket, three days later in an alley of the City Heights neighborhood.

After autopsy and toxicology reports came back without a known cause of death — there was alcohol in his blood, but nowhere near a lethal amount — the police investigation ran out of easy leads. But the community stepped up its support, as companies like Hurley and Jack’s Surfboards kept donating money to raise the reward for information — first to $10,000, then to $20,000. Crime Stoppers also put up bus stop ads throughout Orange and San Diego Counties asking for tips. Even with the community’s efforts, no one has come forward with the answer, authorities said.

“I want people to know Dane deserves better than this,” said Dane’s mother, Valen Williams, when the bus stop ads were revealed. “He was a good kid, and somebody knows what happened. And they can let us know, so we can start our healing process.”

The line for tips remains (888) 580-8477.