Search continues for body of missing Las Vegas teen at California beach

The search for a Las Vegas teen who vanished at a Southern California beach over the weekend continued Tuesday.

Orange County Fire Authority spokesman Capt. Steve Concialdi identified the teen as Anthony Parnell, 18, of Las Vegas.

There were no signs of him after extensive searching Sunday, and the rescue effort was reclassified as a recovery Monday.

The search has been limited to boats, helicopters and lifeguards on foot in the rocky area where he disappeared, near Thousand Steps Beach in South Laguna, Calif., due to extremely hazardous surf conditions. The fire authority said Monday it was not safe to deploy rescue divers.

Search operations have been impeded by dangerous high surf conditions of between 5 to 8 feet, the agency said.

“The waves are still intense today, pounding the shoreline,” Concialdi said. “We’re searching every day and hopefully we’ll find him soon.”

Several agencies have been assisting in the efforts to find Parnell, including lifeguards, firefighters and police officers from both Orange County and Laguna Beach. Helicopters from the U.S. Coast Guard also helped to search, according to a fire authority release.

Parnell, a Centennial High School student, was walking on the rocks with friends when they were struck by a large wave Sunday afternoon, Concialdi said. When the wave receded, Parnell was nowhere to be found.

“It’s very sad for everyone,” he said.

A lot of people have been going walking on those rocks, Concialdi said, but the area is very dangerous because there are a lot of cracks and crevices. Parnell may have been knocked into one of those holes.

“There can be sneaker or rogue waves,” he said, adding that the area has posted signs warning against trespassing and is often patrolled by life guards.

Parnell’s family is hoping and praying that he will be found soon, Concialdi said. His mother, father and one of his brothers are observing the search efforts.

The teen was set to begin basic training for the U.S. Army this summer, following in the footsteps of two of his older brothers. Parnell had four brothers and one sister.

“Anthony was a wonderful human being. He was caring and compassionate,” the family said in a statement. “He loved football, music and art … He loved to lie by the pool, and he loved to cook.”

The family expressed thanks to those assisting in the search and asked that their privacy be respected during this difficult time.

Orange County lifeguards said anyone going to the beach should always check with the lifeguard before approaching the water’s edge and should stay off rocky outcroppings and tide pool areas during high surf.

Contact Wesley Juhl at wjuhl@reviewjournal.com and 702-383-0391. Find him on Twitter: @WesJuhl.