The California Department of Fish and Wildlife issues a report describing the fatal attack in the water near Morro Rock the day before Christmas.
They say it was a great white shark that killed 42-year-old Tomas Butterfield of Sacramento. He was surfing just north of Morro Rock.
His body was found nearby.
Detective William Miller arrived at the beach about two hours after his body was found in the surf. His report concludes that Butterfield died from “complications of multiple penetrating blunt force traumatic injuries.” An autopsy performed by pathologist Dr. Joye Carter found a piece of what appeared to be a shark’s tooth.”
Butterfield was visiting Morro Bay to rendezvous with his family for the Christmas holiday.
