A former college soccer player has been identified as the 26-year-old woman found dead in the waters off La Jolla Shores Beach in San Diego, as authorities work to determine how she ended up in the ocean. Emergency personnel responded around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday after a bystander spotted an unresponsive person floating in shallow water near the Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier. The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed that Bryn Waite was pronounced dead at the scene. Officers and lifeguards from San Diego Fire-Rescue were among the first responders, and the San Diego Police Department has taken the lead in the investigation.
Waite, originally from Anchorage, Alaska, played defender for Central Washington University during the 2018 and 2019 seasons. She appeared in 15 games, making eight starts, and recorded two assists over 723 career minutes on the field. In 2019, Waite earned Great Northwest Athletic Conference All-Academic Team honors, recognizing her success both in athletics and academics. After her college career, Waite moved to San Diego and had recently become engaged, according to friends who spoke with The California Post.
Friends remembered Waite as a warm, kind person who made others feel at ease. "I only met Bryn a couple of times, but each time she was incredibly sweet, genuinely kind and had such a beautiful spirit," one friend told the outlet. "She had a warmth about her that made people feel comfortable and cared for. It's clear that the light she carried touched so many lives. She will be deeply missed." Another friend who knew Waite through church described her as "kind and sweet" and said she "listened and loved." The friend added that Waite "loved animals and the beach" and is "leaving behind friends and family that will miss her dearly."
Waite's public Instagram account included photos from travels, including a trip to Joshua Tree National Park, and her final post, shared three days before she was found, showed a nighttime image with the caption, "It only gets better." La Jolla Shores Beach is located in one of the wealthiest beach communities in the United States, known for its scenic coastline and upscale neighborhoods. The area is a popular destination for swimmers, surfers, and families, and the pier where her body was found is a well-known landmark.
The Medical Examiner's Office has listed the place of injury as "Ocean – Undetermined" and said the date and time of injury are unknown. The cause and manner of death remain pending further investigation by the San Diego Police Department. Authorities have not disclosed whether Waite had been reported missing before her body was discovered, nor have they stated how she got into the water or whether foul play is suspected. The investigation is ongoing, and officials have not released an estimated time of death. Friends and family are mourning the loss of a young woman remembered for her kindness, athletic achievements, and love for life.