The Essex County District Attorney's office says a body was found inside a sailboat that ran aground off the Massachusetts coast.
After the boat was spotted drifting near the shore Friday a lifeguard swam out a short distance and discovered the body aboard.
The victim was later identified as 76-year-old Alexander Sachs of Gloucester. Tboat, named "Etoile," is based in Salem, Massachusetts, and registered to Sachs.
The DA's office said they would investigate. Lynch Park Beach was closed Friday night. It was considered a crime scene because the nature of the death is not known.
Although the office of the chief medical examiner will perform an autopsy, the DA said Saturday Sachs likely suffered a medical emergency and no foul play is suspected.
Beverly Recreation Director Bruce Doig said the beach was in low tide Friday night and planned to remove the boat around high tide at midnight. Otherwise, they would need to bring in a crane to move it.
When reached, the man's family declined to comment to necn except to say, "it's very tragic."
Shortly after 9 p.m., police were called back to the scene when a man, who claimed he had "salvage rights," swam out to the boat and climbed on board - an act necn's camera captured.
Responding officers ordered that man back to shore, questioned him and hauled him off in a squad car.
