Mystery surrounds death of Calif. big-wave surfer in Baja

The death of a California big-wave surfer who had gone missing for two weeks in Northern Baja, Mexico, has left his family both heartbroken and puzzled.

Adam "Biff" Francis D'Esposito, 39, of Carlsbad, disappeared Sept. 8 and was last seen soaking wet and running barefoot on the highway just south of Baja Malibu, according to the website Surfer.

The Daily Mail reported that the last person known to see him alive was a surf shop owner who described him as scared and "in bad condition," according to his sister Briana.

D'Esposito's body was discovered by Mexican officials near Rosarito, just over the U.S. border near San Diego, earlier this month, but family members only found out about his death Wednesday, according to Fox 5 San Diego.

Famed surfer Kelly Slater shared this missing persons image after Adam "Biff" Francis D'Esposito went missing. Famed surfer Kelly Slater shared this missing persons image after Adam "Biff" Francis D'Esposito went missing. Photo: Kelly Slater Photo: Kelly Slater Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Mystery surrounds death of Calif. big-wave surfer in Baja 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

A coroner reportedly determined the cause of death was drowning. But D'Esposito was a strong swimmer and an expert surfer who welcomed challenging waves. He even survived a shark attack in 2012. To his family, he seemed the least likely person to drown.

"Since my brother is a big wave surfer, spending the better part of the last 20 years in Tahiti surfing some of the most dangerous waves in the world. It's very heard for us and many of his friends to believe he would just drown," D'Esposito's sister Mary told NBC 7.

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Mexican authorities said they do not believe foul play was involved in his death.

D'Esposito struggled with mental illness, according to Surfer. His sisters told NBC 7 he was diagnosed as bipolar in February.

Mary D'Esposito wrote on Facebook that her brother borrowed their father's Volvo station wagon in Rosarito and said he would be right back. That was the last time the family saw him.

D'Esposito leaves behind a 6-year-old daughter, Annabella.

"He had a huge heart for his young daughter and enjoyed spending much time with her in his last few months," Briana wrote on Facebook.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover the costs of transporting the body to the U.S., the funeral and travel expenses for the family, and to set up scholarship fund for Annabella.

A paddle-out ceremony is also being planned.

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Read Mike Moffitt's latest stories and send him news tips at mmoffitt@sfchronicle.com.

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