Bodega Bay body identified as missing attorney

The Sonoma County coroner’s office has identified a body that washed ashore Monday in Bodega Bay as missing attorney Steven Mitchell.

Mitchell, a 56-year-old resident of Santa Rosa, was found on the shoreline near Bodega Dunes south of Salmon Creek Beach around 8:15 a.m.

His remains were badly decomposed, according to sheriff’s Sgt. Cecile Focha.

Mitchell was reported missing by his wife Feb. 13, and his next of kin have been notified, according to Focha. The coroner’s office has scheduled an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of Mitchell’s death.

Mitchell represented Sonoma County in a civil suit after Deputy Erick Gelhaus fatally shot Andy Lopez, 13, on Oct. 22, 2013. Lopez had been carrying a toy gun that looked like an assault rifle.