Drowning victim at El Dorado Parks identified by coroner

Long Beach, California – The man who was pulled out of one of the lakes at El Dorado Parks after an apparent drowning on Monday has been identified by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s office.

The coroner identified the victim as 79-year-old Perlito Lao from Fullerton.

According to LBFD spokesman Capt. Jack Crabtree, several witnesses reported seeing the man diving into the water and did not come out at approximately 5 p.m.

Multiple units, including LBFD firefighters, a LBFD dive team, and marine safety crews, were sent in response to the report. The body of Lao was brought to the shore of the lake by the dive team from the Long Beach Fire Department, where it was determined he had died. Crews found the body in a nearby area of reeds.

Authorities are still trying to determine whether Lao went into the lake on purpose or by accident, since swimming is not allowed in any lake in this area. Foul play is not considered a cause of Lao’s death.

El Dorado Park is a well-known location for fishing and other types of recreational activities due to the park’s lakes and the land immediately around those lakes.