The body of a 55-year-old triathlete, Erica Fox, has been recovered off the coast of Northern California, with family members confirming her identity. Fox's body was pulled from the ocean just south of Davenport Beach around 2 pm on Saturday, according to local reports.
Fox was reported missing on Sunday after she was last seen at Lovers Point in Pacific Grove, approximately 30 miles from where her body was found. The San Jose Mercury News confirmed that Fox was the victim of a shark attack, though authorities have not officially confirmed the cause.
In a 2022 interview with The Independent, Fox spoke about her comfort in the water and understanding of its dangers. She noted that shark encounters reported in Pacific Grove had not deterred her or fellow swimmers, adding, 'As soon as you dive in the water, you’re immediately in a foreign land. We are the ocean ecology’s humbled guests.'
Two Monterey beaches were closed on Sunday as a precautionary measure due to an unconfirmed shark incident at Lovers Point. Witnesses told authorities they believe Fox may have encountered a shark on the day she disappeared.
Chris Lowe, director of the Shark Lab at California State University, Long Beach, explained that the coastline near Lovers Point attracts sea lions and seals, primary prey for white sharks. Sharks migrate to the coast in October to feed and typically remain until January.
Since 1950, there have been 16 fatal shark attacks in California, all but one confirmed as white sharks. In the Monterey area, 13 shark bite incidents have occurred, mostly involving divers or surfers. A search covering 84 square nautical miles was suspended after 15 hours.
