A 55-year-old woman is missing and feared dead after disappearing during an open-water swim with a group off the central California coast on Sunday morning.
Search Launched After Terrifying Sighting
The incident occurred near Lovers Point in the Monterey Peninsula. Two witnesses reported seeing what they believed was a possible shark attack. One individual told authorities they saw a shark breach the water with what appeared to be a human body in its mouth before submerging and not resurfacing.
Another member of the swimming group reported seeing a large splash, which prompted everyone to return to shore. It was then they realised their companion was missing.
Major Response and Ongoing Investigation
Authorities immediately launched a large-scale search-and-rescue mission, deploying rescue boats, drones, and helicopters. The city of Pacific Grove closed all beaches within a mile of Lovers Point, citing an "unconfirmed shark incident."
The intensive search was suspended at 8pm on Sunday after rescuers failed to locate the woman. It resumed on Monday morning, though on a smaller scale according to reports from the scene.
Coast Guard Petty Officer Christopher Sappey confirmed the witness account of a shark sighting but stated he could not definitively "correlate this sighting with the missing person." The swimmer, described as a 55-year-old with blonde hair and blue eyes, has not been publicly named, but her family has been notified.
Beach Closures and Rare Nature of Attacks
Lovers Point Beach, along with McAbee and San Carlos beaches in Monterey, are expected to remain closed through Tuesday. A heavy police presence remained at the scene on Monday, with areas cordoned off and public access limited.
While the witness accounts are chilling, officials note that shark attacks remain extremely rare. According to the Florida Museum's International Shark Attack File, there have been only 47 reported globally in 2024, with the United States accounting for the majority. The only recorded fatality this year occurred in Hawaii.
The search for the missing woman continues.
