UPDATE: Body discovered near Bixby Bridge identified
UPDATE 2/2/16 4:09 PM: The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has identified the body found near Bixby Bridge as missing BASE jumper Rami Kajala.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, The autopsy was completed on Monday and the coroner confirmed the identity Tuesday.
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“They’re attached to a liter that we are going to place the body into,” said Monterey County Sheriff’s deputy Ivan Rodriguez.
With loose soil underfoot, going from vertical to semi horizontal, members of the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team journeyed down to retrieve a body from the Bixby Creek.
“We’re focused on the mission,” said Rodriguez. “Want to get in and complete the mission as soon as possible.”
The Sheriff’s Office said at about 9:30 a.m. on Saturday someone called to report the body.
Authorities say it could be Rami Kajala, one of two base jumpers swept away at sea.
“It’s a possibility,” said Monterey County Sheriff’s Commander Joe Moses. “Just not sure until we make an identification.”
Once they landed, rescuers took photos and collected evidence.
“When they get down to the bottom, at the shore, they’re gonna unhook, go uncover the body, secure it into the liter and come back up the cliff,” said Rodriguez.
Deputies said they’ve continued looking for Kajala and Katie Connell, experienced jumpers who have been missing for a little more than a week.
They said Connell jumped first, but was caught in rough surf and Kajala jumped in after, likely attempting to save her.
“We have had helicopters in the air,” said Moses. “We’ve had divers in the water, search and rescue team has been doing the shore search.”
Law enforcement said water conditions have made the search difficult.
“The heavy surf in the area it’s been very difficult to search,” said Moses.
Friends say Kajala, a Finland native, came to the Bixby Bridge looking for the next big jump.
Law enforcement said anyone making the trek to the Central Coast to jump or watch the big waves need to be cautious of the rugged coastline.
“So keep a safe distance away from the ocean and use common sense,” said Moses.
The body is being turned over to the coroner’s office, which will then make an identification.
ORIGINAL:1/30/16 12: 13p.m: Monterey County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team is working to recover a male body found along the river bed under Bixby Bridge, Saturday morning.
Deputies have not confirmed if the body is the male BASE jumper who was swept away at sea after an accident about a week and a half ago.
ORIGINAL STORY: Deputies are investigating a report of body near the base of the Bixby Bridge in Big Sur, according to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Officer. The search and rescue team has been called out to respond.
Deputies are working to determine if the body is one of two BASE jumpers who were swept away at sea after an accident about a week and a half ago.
Rami Kajala of Finland, had been base jumping for 12 years with at least 2,300 jumps under his belt. Friends said he’d always look for the next best jump and that’s what brought him to Bixby Bridge.
Kajala jumped down to try and rescue Katie Connell of Ventura, from a large set of waves.
Law enforcement agencies searched for their bodies last weekend and went back out earlier this week. But the search had since been called off.
