The body of a missing California college athlete has been found. James Wernke, 21, was last seen in Fullerton, Calif. Saturday afternoon as he prepared his girlfriend mother's Labrador retriever for a walk. Neither he nor the dog, named Kealie, have been seen since.
Local police have confirmed that the body of a young man was found near a flood control basin behind Brea Dam on Fullerton Creek. This is close to the area where search teams had been looking for James Wernke.
Authorities theorize that James Wernke fell into the creek bed during a rain storm when the creek was at full force. It was raining on that day, and Wernke was described as wearing a t-shirt, shorts and flip-flops when he was last seen. He was reportedly found face down in about two feet of water.
James Wernke, 21, was last seen at 1:30 PM PST Saturday, while leaving the house of his longtime girlfriend’s mother. The 6-foot, 4-inch, 190 lb. Santa Ana College baseball pitcher went to the house to walk the family dog.
Police are operating on the assumption that James Wernke fell. Lt. Alex Bastreri, a spokesman for the Fullerton Police Department, said:
"He's a big guy, and typically not a target to be mugged or abducted. The only thing that seems probable at this time is that there has been an accident – but, where's the dog?
"There have been no known threats made on his life. He doesn't party or drink or use drugs. He seems to have his life together. He doesn't have a lot of money – his parents would send him money, but he's not the type of person who would be carrying a lot of cash on him.”
James Wernke had recently won a full baseball scholarship to Cal State Long Beach. He was being courted by professional baseball teams, as well. While the body of James Wernke has been found, there is no word on the whereabouts of the dog.
Written by Michael Santo
HULIQ.com
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