Man who died while abalone diving in Jenner identified

JENNER (BCN) — The Sonoma County coroner’s office has identified a man who died while abalone diving in Jenner on Sunday afternoon as Dean Seki, 66, of Redwood City.

Witnesses said Seki was swimming around 1:30 p.m. at Gerstle Cove in Salt Point State Park and was surprised by an abnormally large wave, sheriff’s Sgt. Spencer Crum said.

The exact cause of Seki’s death had not been determined.

Lifeguards had pulled him from the water and he was pronounced dead on the beach.

A Sonoma County sheriff’s helicopter assisted Cal Fire and state park personnel in the response to the incident.