California Woman Dies After Rescue from Storm Drain

Authorities are investigating how 59-year-old Yafang Zhou became trapped in the storm drain, as questions remain surrounding her disappearance and tragic death.

Yafang Zhou, 59, was reported missing on April 3, 2025, after last being seen on March 25 near her home in downtown San Diego.
She was located on April 7 in a storm drain system in Poway, Southern California, following a multi-agency search effort.
Emergency crews, including firefighters and search-and-rescue teams, worked through hazardous conditions to extract Zhou from the confined space.
Despite being rescued and transported to Palomar Medical Center, Zhou died shortly after her extraction, with her death confirmed on April 9, 2025.
Authorities are investigating how Zhou ended up in the storm drain, as the circumstances of her disappearance and entrapment remain unclear.