Community Corner

Medical Examiner Releases Cause of Death for Surfer Theodore Smith

The San Diego County Medical Examiner ruled Windansea surfer Theodore "Ted" Smith's death a drowning due to atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease.

The San Diego County Medical Examiner recently released the cause of death for Theodore "Ted" Smith, who died surfing Windansea on New Year's Eve afternoon. The Medical Examiner's office ruled the death a drowning due to atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease.

Smith, 52, was witnessed "behaving oddly," according to the Medical Examiner’s Office, before surfers swam to his aid and pulled him to the shore. An ambulance transported Smith to , where his death was pronounced a short time later at 1:50 p.m.

A paddleout was hosted at Windansea on Jan. 15.

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