Newly engaged college soccer star, 26, is found dead after body washes up on idyllic California beach

By EMMA RICHTER, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 15:18, 26 July 2026 | Updated: 15:26, 26 July 2026 A newly engaged college soccer star was found dead after her body washed up on a California beach, her devastated friends said.  Bryn Waite, 26, was discovered floating in the water of La Jolla Shores Beach on Wednesday morning by a bystander, the San Diego Police Department said.  Waite, who played Division 2 women's soccer at Central Washington University from 2018 to 2019, was pronounced dead at the scene, officials stated.  Her cause of death is not yet known, according to a 'Non Homicide' case report by the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office. The tragedy came just a little more than a month after Waite got engaged to her fiancé, her Instagram page revealed.  She shared a series of selfies alongside her fiancé on June 15 with the caption 'He Promises'.  The images showed the two of them smiling side-by-side as Waite showed off her large blue stone ring.  Waite, who lived in San Diego, was originally from Anchorage, Alaska, public records show.  Bryn Waite, 26, was found floating in the water of La Jolla Shores Beach on Wednesday morning by a bystander, the San Diego Police Department said She just got engaged to her fiancé in June and showed off the large blue ring on Instagram  A friend described her as a 'beautiful spirit' to the California Post.   'I only met Bryn a couple of times, but each time she was incredibly sweet, genuinely kind, and had such a beautiful spirit,' they told the Post.  Just a week before she died, Waite posted an image of her driving on an open road with the caption 'It only gets better'.  Another friend told the outlet they just saw Waite last week and that she 'loved animals and the beach'. 'She was kind and sweet. She listened and loved. She is leaving behind friends and family that will miss her dearly,' they shared.  Waite appeared to love to travel, listen to music, and be with friends.  She had just recently attended the San Diego County Fair, according to an Instagram post she shared on July 10.  Her page is also full of images of her posing in front of breathtaking mountain views in Alaska and California.  La Jolla Shore Beach earned the title of the number one beach in the US by TripAdvisor this year Waite, who played defender for her school's soccer team, took part in 15 soccer games over the course of her sporting career, according to her online profile.  The first friend said they will remember Waite for her 'warmth' and how much she cared for others.  'It’s clear that the light she carried touched so many lives, and I feel grateful to have crossed paths with her, even briefly.  'She will be deeply missed, and I will continue to pray for everyone who loved her, especially her fiancé, as they navigate this heartbreaking loss,' they said.  Waite appeared to love to travel, listen to music, and be with friends. She had just recently attended the San Diego County Fair, according to an Instagram post she shared on July 10 The Daily Mail reached out to the San Diego Police Department, the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office, and Central Washington University for comment.  La Jolla Shores Beach earned the title of the number one beach in the US by TripAdvisor this year.  It is known for its stunning coastal views, blue waters, and is also a popular spot where sea lions hang out.