NEWPORT BEACH – A woman in her mid-20s was found dead near the water Monday morning, authorities said.

At about 6 a.m., two people were walking on the beach when they discovered the woman facedown in the sand near Tower 71 in the area of Highland Street and West Oceanfront, said Kathy Lowe, spokeswoman for the Newport Beach Police Department.

Authorities arrived and determined the woman was dead, Lowe said.

The woman is about 5 feet 2 inches tall with a thin build, Lowe added.

Lowe said Orange County coroner’s officials are working to identify the body. She had no further details and said the investigation is ongoing.

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