Sequim Gazette staff

The body of 72-year-old Robert E. Fitch of Sequim was found on Dungeness Spit on Aug. 31.

Sgt. John Hollis with the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office said the cause of death was drowning and no foul play is suspected.

Fitch left his house for a day of beachcombing on Aug. 30 and didn’t return, according to Hollis. A neighbor was concerned and reported Fitch missing.

The U.S. Coast Guard conducted a search and found a backpack, clothing and towel on the beach at the Dungeness Spit and Department of Fish and Wildlife rangers determined the items belonged to Fitch.

Since the items were found on property within the county’s jurisdiction, the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team was called out Aug. 31. A woman walking on the beach that morning found Fitch’s body about a mile east of the spit.