A former college soccer player whose body washed up at San Diego’s La Jolla Shores Beach had recently become engaged and was looking forward to starting a new chapter of her life, friends and social media posts reveal.

Bryn Waite, 26, originally from Anchorage, Alaska, was discovered floating in shallow water off La Jolla Shores around 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. A beachgoer spotted her and alerted authorities. San Diego lifeguards and police responded; she was pulled to shore and pronounced dead at the scene.

The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office identified her, and the case is being investigated by the San Diego Police Department. The cause and manner of death remain pending, with the investigation currently classified as non-homicide.

Waite played Division II women’s soccer at Central Washington University during the 2018 and 2019 seasons, appearing in at least 15 games as a defender and recording assists. She had recently moved to San Diego in preparation for her upcoming marriage.

Just one month earlier, on June 15, Waite announced her engagement on Instagram. She shared a series of joyful photos with her fiancé, proudly displaying a large blue-stone engagement ring and captioning the post “He Promises.” The images included smiling selfies of the couple, moments holding hands, and other celebratory shots. She had also posted optimistically just days before her death, writing “It only gets better.”

Friends described Waite as incredibly sweet, genuinely kind, and possessed of a “beautiful spirit.” One acquaintance who knew her through church and had seen her only the week before said she “listened and loved” and was deeply fond of animals and the beach. Another friend noted that she would be “deeply missed,” especially by her fiancé as he navigates the sudden loss.

The discovery of Waite’s body at one of Southern California’s most popular beaches has left her family, friends, and the soccer community mourning a young woman who appeared to be at a hopeful turning point in her life. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death.

Sources

• New York Post