Rebecca Weiss: 1962-2012

Rebecca Weiss, was found off the coast of Palos Verdes on Aug. 18, was also an avid traveler and wanted to open an orphanage in Costa Rica.

On Aug. 11, Rebecca Weiss was snorkeling alone near the located at 6610 Palos Verdes Drive South in Rancho Palos Verdes. When she did not return home, her husband drove to the site, found her dive bag and alerted police.

"She was an incredible human being, always full of life,” said sister-in-law Rina Causey. “She loved the water. No matter where she went, she needed the water.”

After a weeklong search, recreational divers found her body on Aug. 18 below the former Marineland of the Pacific site just hours after the family and volunteers began handing out flyers in the area where she was reported missing.

Although investigators do not think foul play was involved, detectives interviewed Alan Weiss on Aug. 15 as part of normal police procedure. He gave investigators the same information that he gave them when he reported his wife missing, and he has cooperated fully with the missing persons investigation, according to Lt. Holly Francisco of the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau.

“The tragedy has been compounded,” said brother Roberto Causey. “Alan (the husband) won’t allow us to attend the ceremony.”

He said that Alan Weiss told him that Rebecca wished that only her husband and two other people attend a ceremony in case she died. But Causey thinks that Weiss is denying her family out of spite as they had raised suspicion regarding her disappearance and allege that he has a mistress on the side.

Alan Weiss did not return messages seeking comment.

Rebecca Weiss moved to Marina del Rey 20 years ago when she married Alan. Before her disappearance, she was working as a bookkeeper. An investigation to determine the cause of death is still ongoing.

Weiss was born on April 4, 1962, and grew up in Palos Verdes. She graduated from Miraleste High School in 1981. She is survived by her husband Alan Weiss, brother Roberto Causey, sister-in-law Rina Causey and mother Vilma Causey.

Patch Editor Nicole Mooradian contributed to this report.