"With a heavy heart, we must confirm that the body found near Pier 39 on Wednesday afternoon has been identified as our dear friend, family member & colleague, JV," the radio station wrote.

Just a month ago, a dock at Pier 39 was overrun with sea lions. Around 2,000 males piled on top of each other on wooden floats, barking, braying and breaking a population record at the tourist magnet.