A Monterey man who police say was fleeing an early-morning fight on Cannery Row died after apparently jumping from a hotel patio onto a rocky stretch of beach, according to Monterey police. Officers first spotted the altercation just after 1 AM last Saturday near the Salty Seal Pub and chased one of the people involved toward the waterfront. It was not until hours later, after hotel staff reviewed surveillance video and alerted police, that officers learned someone had gone over a railing and been gravely injured.
What the police say happened
In a press release, the Monterey Police Department said officers patrolling Cannery Row between Hoffman and Prescott avenues saw two people fighting shortly after 1 AM. One person was knocked unconscious, according to the department, and the other ran from the scene.
Officers chased the fleeing person toward the water but lost sight of him near the Monterey Plaza Hotel, police said. Despite searching the area, officers were unable to find him that night.
Video shows patio jump, hotel staff alert police
Later that morning, hotel staff reviewed surveillance footage and saw someone go over a patio railing that overlooks the shoreline. Staff called police around 8:14 a.m. after spotting the apparent jump, which investigators believe happened at roughly 1:10 AM, according to the Monterey Police Department.
The promenade railing is estimated to sit about two stories above the beach, with rocks below. During the search that followed, police requested help from the Monterey Fire Department and asked that its fireboat be deployed along the waterfront.
Recovery effort and ongoing investigation
Police said the man was found injured “some distance” from where they believe he fell, shortly before noon. He was taken to a local hospital, where he later died.
“We believe it is the same individual who was involved in the altercation and whom we then pursued, but could not locate the previous evening,” Police Chief David Hober told CBS News Bay Area. The department said the investigation remains active.
How the public can help
Detectives are asking for help from anyone who was on Cannery Row early Saturday. People with information are urged to contact Detective Wayland Kopp at (831) 646-3809. Anonymous tips can be left at (831) 646-3840, according to local coverage that cited the department’s statement, including KSBW.
Investigators are also asking anyone who took photos or video near the Salty Seal Pub, the Monterey Plaza Hotel, or the surrounding waterfront in the early morning hours to review their footage and contact police if they captured anything relevant.
