SAN DIEGO — Mike Whitmarsh, who won a silver medal in beach volleyball at the 1996 Summer Olympics, was found dead in the garage of a friend's home, a spokesman for the San Diego County Sheriff's Department said.

Whitmarsh's body was found Tuesday at a home in Solana Beach, just north of San Diego, sheriff's spokeswoman Jan Caldwell said Wednesday.

The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office said a cause of death hadn't been determined.

Whitmarsh teamed with Mike Dodd to take the silver medal in the inaugural beach volleyball competition at the Atlanta Olympics, losing to Karch Kiraly and Kent Steffes in the finals.

Whitmarsh is survived by his wife, Cindy, and two daughters.

"We are all devastated by the passing of Mike," Cindy Whitmarsh said in a statement. "His family, friends, teammates, and colleagues will miss him terribly."

Whitmarsh also played basketball at the University of San Diego, leading the Toreros to their first NCAA tournament appearance in 1984. He later switched to beach volleyball.

"Mike was a great alum and did great things for the school, and we will miss him greatly," USD athletic director Ky Snyder said.