NEW BRIGHTON STATE BEACH—A Watsonville man died Thursday morning after he reportedly fell off of a towering cliff at New Brighton State Beach.
Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Ashley Keehn said Edward Murillo-Jimenez, 32, was pronounced dead at the base of the cliff.
A hiker discovered the body around 9:30am and called 911 dispatchers. Emergency crews were able to reach the victim within minutes.
It is not clear what led to the fall from the cliff. The incident is still under investigation.
Murillo-Jimenez was a star soccer player at Watsonville High School, helping the Wildcatz win a Central Coast Section title in 2005. He also obtained a scholarship to play soccer at San Jose State University.
The family has set up a GoFundMe account to help defray funeral expenses.
[This story has been updated from an earlier version that contained an inaccuracy in the headline. — Editor]
