Missing man’s family fears body found in Morro Bay Estuary is his

The family of 22-year-old Avery Edward Danley fears that a body found Sunday in the Morro Bay Estuary is that of their missing relative.

Danley’s aunt, Valerie Borges of Modesto, said even though authorities haven’t confirmed the identify of the corpse, she and her family believe it is Danley. He was last seen Jan. 21 after eating dinner with friends on a boat docked in Morro Bay.

Danley’s family, including Borges and his mother, Crystal Danley, of Valley Springs, have searched for Avery Danley for several days. Morro Bay Police Department officials also have conducted a search.

Borges said the family has “a broken heart at the moment.”

“(We’re) wishing the outcome was different,” Borges said.

Even though Borges said the family believes the body belongs to Danley, she added, “I’m hoping this is not him.”

The body was found by a citizen in the back bay near Los Osos about 11 a.m. Sunday, said Morro Bay police Sgt. Jody Cox.

Morro Bay police Cmdr. Bryan Millard said Wednesday is the soonest the department expects to get further information about the identity and cause of death.

The department is working with the San Luis Obispo County Coroner’s Office, which is conducting an autopsy on the body.

Danley had been living aboard his boat in Morro Bay for the past year leading up to his disappearance.

His kayak, which he used to travel between the shore and his moored boat, was found adrift in the harbor a few days after he went missing.

Family members said that it is unusual for Danley not to contact them for days at a time. He had been in daily contact with his mother — borrowing cellphones from friends to make calls because he didn’t have one of his own.

Danley had been working odd jobs and applying for permanent employment around the area.

It is unclear whether alcohol may have played a role in his disappearance.

Family members said he did not consume alcohol excessively. They said they do not believe he had been drinking the evening he ate with friends at the harbor, the last day he was seen, based on the information they have gathered.

However, in a 2011 Facebook post, he wrote about “drinking every night” to cope with problems. Danley last posted a comment on Facebook in September 2012.

Borges said Danley’s family still doesn’t know what might have happened to him.

“At this point, it’s just waiting,” Borges said.

In an interview last week, his mother cited Danley’s love for reading. She added that he watched “Animal Planet” instead of cartoons growing up, and his passions included hiking, kayaking and being outdoors.

Family members started a Facebook page titled “Find Avery Danley.” They have changed the name of that page to “Celebrating the Life of Avery Danley,” writing he “has his wings now.” The page is asking for funds to help cover funeral costs.

“You didn’t want us to be hurt by the unknown,” family members wrote. “Avery Danley, you have received you (sic) wings. You can now fly that free spirit of yours high in the sky. Our guardian Angle (sic) is bright in the sky. You are forever loved and always in our hearts. I will miss seeing your big beautiful eyes and the in creditable (sic) smile of yours. I love Avery.”

This story was originally published February 8, 2016 at 5:20 AM with the headline "Missing man’s family fears body found in Morro Bay Estuary is his."