Overview
- A 55-year-old woman disappeared around noon Sunday during a weekly open-water group swim near Lovers Point in Pacific Grove.
- Witnesses reported a large splash, and one person said a shark breached with what appeared to be a body, though officials say there is no confirming evidence linking the report to the missing swimmer.
- A multi-agency search involving the U.S. Coast Guard, Monterey Fire, the county sheriff, California State Parks, Seaside Fire and CAL FIRE is using boats, drones and helicopters.
- Crews suspended operations overnight for safety and resumed at first light on Monday, and authorities have notified the swimmer’s family.
- Lovers Point and beaches within a mile, plus McAbee and San Carlos in Monterey, are closed through Tuesday, with advisories for Asilomar, Monterey Municipal, Del Monte and Monterey State Beach; experts note shark encounters in the region are rare.