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Coroner Rules Erica Fox’s Death an Accidental Shark Attack After Pacific Grove Disappearance

Officials issued the finding after her Dec. 21 disappearance off Lovers Point, followed by the Dec. 27 recovery of her body near Davenport.

Overview

  • The Santa Cruz County Sheriff-Coroner determined Fox died from sharp and blunt force injuries and submersion in water due to a shark attack, ruling the death an accident.
  • Fox, 55, went missing during a weekly group swim off Lovers Point in Pacific Grove; she co-founded the Kelp Krawlers open-water swimming group.
  • Witnesses reported a large splash near the swimmers, and a driver told the U.S. Coast Guard they saw a shark breach with what appeared to be a human body.
  • Authorities conducted more than 15 hours of search operations covering over 84 square nautical miles before suspending the effort the next day.
  • Her body was recovered Dec. 27 on a remote beach near Wilder Ranch south of Davenport, and investigators have not determined the size of the shark.