Body found in bay is IDd as 49ers fan

A man found dead near a South Bay marina has been identified as a 49ers fan who disappeared from a game at Levi’s Stadium on Nov. 12. But the discovery cleared up few questions about his disappearance.

Ian Powers, 32, was traveling from his home in Spokane, Wash., to Los Angeles and stopped in Antioch to visit relatives last week, police said. The visit included taking in the 49ers’ game against the New York Giants at the Santa Clara stadium.

Powers disappeared after telling his girlfriend he was going to the restroom, authorities said. Surveillance video showed him walking on a footbridge from the stadium

toward the parking lot. His car was later found in the lot.

On Saturday, duck hunters found a body in shallow water about a mile north of the Alviso Marina boat ramp. The Santa Clara County coroner identified it Tuesday as Powers.

The coroner said Powers died accidentally from salt water drowning. How he ended up in Alviso, an area of north San Jose about 2 miles from the stadium, is a mystery.

Powers was a Martinez native who grew up a fan of local teams, said an uncle, Sean Powers. “He loved sports, especially his Bay Area teams, and that means all Bay Area teams,” he said.

Ian Powers was working at HotStart, an engine manufacturing plant in Spokane. Company CEO Tony Judge said he “was very friendly, talented, dependable and fun to be around. We will miss him very much.”

Sean Powers said he and his nephew had dinner at an Italian restaurant in Walnut Creek on Nov. 11. It was the last time he saw him.

“He told me he was going to finally go to college to be a history teacher, and maybe coach football,” Sean Powers said.

He said his nephew always made time to visit his family and go to games. Last year, he flew down to the Bay Area so the two of them could attend two pro football games and a college contest.

“He was a positive influence on everyone he came in contact with, and was like my little brother,” Sean Powers said. “Honestly, if I ever have a daughter, I hope she marries someone like him.”