By Olin Ericksen
Staff Writer

March 30 -- The body of a woman believed to be homeless was found near Santa Monica beach Thursday morning.

The woman, thought to be in her forties, was found dead near a beach restroom at 8:10 a.m. on the 1100 block of Palisades Beach Road about a mile north of the Santa Monica Pier, according to Santa Monica Police.

"There didn't appear to be any signs of foul play," said Lt. Alex Padilla, the Police Department spokesman.

An autopsy is pending and results will determine how the woman died, he said.

Police who regularly patrol the area and interact with homeless who camp on the beach did not recognize the woman, Padilla said.

She did, however, have a citation on her from the Santa Monica Police Department, he said.

"We are still trying to determine if the ticket belonged to her," said Padilla.

The death comes on the same day as a conference at the RAND Corporation on ending homelessness through community courts attended by some 150 City, State and national officials and experts. (see story)

Launched in February, Santa Monica’s Homeless Court offers those who are ticketed for minor offenses a choice between accepting help and services or a short stay in jail. So far, two court sessions have been held over the past two months. (see story)