Valparaíso: Police investigate death of man found in rocky coastal area

The discovery of a body in the waters off Valparaíso has prompted a swift investigation by the Brigada de Homicidios (BH) of the Policía de Investigaciones. The victim, a 55-year-old Chilean national, was found in the El Membrillo cove, a location near the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso's aquaculture faculty. The recovery operation involved a joint effort between the Navy and the Volunteer Lifesaving Boat Corps, highlighting the community's engagement in such incidents.

Sub-prefecto Rodrigo Gallardo of the BH in Valparaíso stated that initial medical-criminalistic examinations have not revealed any injuries indicative of third-party involvement. The preliminary hypothesis points towards an accidental death, potentially from drowning. This is supported by the analysis of security footage, which captured the victim walking alone in the area during the night. The focus now is on reconstructing the victim's final hours to solidify the accidental fall theory.

While the investigation is ongoing, the current evidence suggests a tragic accident rather than a crime. The proximity to the university and the coastal setting underscore the inherent risks associated with the area, especially at night. The police's methodical approach, using both forensic examination and surveillance data, aims to provide a clear and conclusive explanation for this unfortunate event.