Full Notification

The search for 22-year-old Cody West of Goleta has come to an end.  At approximately 9:00 a.m. this morning, May 1, 2015, a concerned citizen from Goleta who was out searching for Mr. West and his missing vehicle, discovered the 1999 silver Audi sedan in a concrete drainage canal off of Los Carneros Road near Highway 101.  The vehicle went off the road and down an embankment approximately 20 feet into the drainage canal, making it not visible from Los Carneros Road or the off-ramp.  Mr. West was located deceased underneath the vehicle.  He was positively identified by the Coroner’s Office and next of kin was notified.  

The Santa Barbara County Fire Department assisted with retrieving the body. The California Highway Patrol and Caltrans assisted with shutting down the exit which was closed from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. 

Mr. West was last seen at approximately 3:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 26, leaving a party within a few miles of where he was found and a few blocks away from his residence.  The Sheriff’s Major Accident Response Team and Sheriff’s Detectives are conducting an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the events leading up to his death.  The Coroner’s Office is conducting an investigation to determine cause and manner of death.  At this point, no foul play is suspected.

If you have any information that would assist with this investigation, you are asked to call the Sheriff’s Anonymous Tip-Line at 805-681-4171.

The Sheriff’s Office wants to extend our condolences to Mr. West’s family and friends for their loss and express our appreciation to everyone who helped in the search effort.