A body has been recovered from the waters of Monterey Bay, California, in an area close to where a swimmer vanished nearly a week ago in a suspected shark attack.
Discovery and Ongoing Investigation
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office confirmed the body was pulled from the ocean just south of Davenport Beach around 2pm on Saturday. The location is approximately 30 miles from Lovers Point in Pacific Grove, where 55-year-old triathlete Erica Fox was last seen on Sunday before being reported missing.
Authorities stated they are working closely with neighbouring departments due to the proximity to the site of the recent suspected shark attack. "The investigation remains ongoing," the sheriff's office said. California State Parks confirmed the recovered body was that of a woman but has not yet officially identified her or confirmed a link to Fox's disappearance.
Shark Activity and Beach Closures
The incident has heightened awareness of shark presence along the Monterey coast. Chris Lowe, director of the Shark Lab at California State University, Long Beach, explained that white sharks migrate to these coastal waters between October and January to feed on abundant sea lions and seals.
"They will hunt and they will patrol off these areas where these animals congregate," Lowe told local media. As a precaution, two Monterey beaches were closed on Sunday following the unconfirmed reports of a shark incident at Lovers Point.
Rarity of Shark Attacks in California
Despite the current activity and public concern, officials stress that fatal shark encounters remain extremely rare. Data from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife shows that since 1950, only 16 people have been killed by sharks in the state. Most victims were divers or surfers, with only two recorded attacks on swimmers in that entire period.
In the specific Monterey area, there have been 13 documented shark bite incidents since 1950. The multi-agency search for Erica Fox, covering 84 square nautical miles, was suspended after 15 hours. The investigation into the recovered body and its connection to the suspected shark attack continues.
