A Mill Valley music teacher arrested this week on suspicion of sexual abuse was found dead the next day near Point Reyes National Seashore, according to officials.
Darren Smith, 55, who has worked for the Mill Valley School District for more than 10 years, was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of child molestation and persistent sexual abuse of a child, the Marin County Sheriff’s Office said told the San Francisco Chronicle. It was unclear when Smith would be released from the Marin County Jail on Friday.
Smith’s body was found in the ocean on Wednesday after bystanders reported a surfer had been swept away. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, at 2:36 p.m., bystanders spotted a surfboard on the beach but were unable to find its owner and called 911.
Rescuers found the body about 2.5 miles northwest of the Drakes Beach parking lot around 5:30 p.m. Smith was pronounced dead and transported to the Marin County Coroner’s Office for an autopsy, officials said.
Smith has been placed on administrative leave from the Mill Valley School District after sexual misconduct allegations surfaced.
