Bryn Waite, a 26-year-old former Division 2 soccer player originally from Anchorage, Alaska, was found dead in the waters off La Jolla Shores Beach in San Diego, and authorities have yet to determine a cause of death.
A bystander spotted Waite's body floating in the water on Wednesday morning and alerted the San Diego Police Department. Officers responded to the scene, where Waite was pronounced dead. No cause of death has been announced, and The California Post reported that the circumstances remain under review.
Waite had been living in San Diego and was recently engaged. Friends described her as a warm, generous young woman whose loss has left a community in grief, and whose final social media posts gave no outward sign of distress.
Waite played Division 2 women's soccer at Central Washington University during the 2018 and 2019 seasons. Her athletic profile shows she appeared in at least 15 games, scored two goals, and logged more than 700 minutes on the field. The California Post contacted Central Washington University for comment, but the article did not include a response from the school.
After college, Waite settled in San Diego. Friends said she loved animals and the beach, a detail that makes the location of her death all the more painful for those who knew her.
One friend who spoke to The California Post said she had seen Waite just last week. She offered a simple tribute:
"She was kind and sweet. She listened and loved. She is leaving behind friends and family that will miss her dearly."
Another friend, who said she had met Waite only a couple of times, described the impression Waite left on people around her:
"I only met Bryn a couple of times, but each time she was incredibly sweet, genuinely kind, and had such a beautiful spirit. She had a warmth about her that made people feel comfortable and cared for. It's clear that the light she carried touched so many lives, and I feel grateful to have crossed paths with her, even briefly. She will be deeply missed, and I will continue to pray for everyone who loved her, especially her fiancée, as they navigate this heartbreaking loss."
Waite's Instagram activity in the weeks before her death painted a picture of a young woman enjoying life in Southern California. In May, she posted photos and video of herself hiking at Joshua Tree National Park and dancing to live music nearby. On July 9, she shared images from the San Diego County Fair, taking in the live music there as well.
About three days before her body was found, Waite posted a picture of herself driving at night. The caption read: "It only gets better."
San Diego police have not said publicly whether foul play is suspected. No autopsy results have been released, and no family statement has been reported. The identity of the bystander who discovered Waite's body has not been disclosed.
Those are basic questions that deserve prompt, transparent answers. A 26-year-old woman is dead, and the people who loved her, and the public, are owed at least that much.