The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office continued searching Tuesday for a missing 55-year-old swimmer who disappeared after a reported shark attack at Lovers Point.Although the official search was suspended, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office dive team took advantage of favorable conditions to conduct an additional search for Erica Fox.“Bedrock Ocean Exploration (based out of Port Richmond) volunteered to work alongside the MCSO Dive Team and conducted six-plus hours of side-scan sonar (sea floor mapping) utilizing an AUV (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle) and scanned a roughly 1,000-yard by 500-yard area in efforts to locate Erica Fox,” a spokesperson for the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said.Divers searched several areas identified by the equipment but were unable to locate her.With stormy weather expected, the sheriff’s office said it is suspending further search efforts.Fox was swimming with fellow members of the Kelp Krawlers, a group that meets weekly to swim in the area. Investigators said the group entered the water as usual, but around noon, a witness on the shoreline reported seeing a “large splash.” The report prompted the other swimmers to return to shore out of concern that it may have been a shark attack. Everyone returned safely except Fox.Two witnesses said Fox may have encountered a shark while swimming offshore near Lovers Point.According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the first report came from a driver stopped at a stop sign. The witness said they saw a shark breach the water with what appeared to be a human body in its mouth, then submerge and not resurface.The Coast Guard said a second witness—one of the swimmers—took a count and realized Fox was missing.The search was officially suspended Monday afternoon after about 15 hours of searching more than 84 square nautical miles.“The Coast Guard extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones affected by this tragic incident,” said Capt. Jordan Baldueza, commander of Coast Guard Sector San Francisco.Multiple agencies assisted in the response, including the U.S. Coast Guard, Monterey Fire Department, Seaside Fire, and CAL FIRE. Authorities said crews used rescue boats, drones, and helicopters to search the water and the surrounding area.

PACIFIC GROVE, Calif. —

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office continued searching Tuesday for a missing 55-year-old swimmer who disappeared after a reported shark attack at Lovers Point.

Although the official search was suspended, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office dive team took advantage of favorable conditions to conduct an additional search for Erica Fox.

“Bedrock Ocean Exploration (based out of Port Richmond) volunteered to work alongside the MCSO Dive Team and conducted six-plus hours of side-scan sonar (sea floor mapping) utilizing an AUV (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle) and scanned a roughly 1,000-yard by 500-yard area in efforts to locate Erica Fox,” a spokesperson for the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said.

Divers searched several areas identified by the equipment but were unable to locate her.

With stormy weather expected, the sheriff’s office said it is suspending further search efforts.

Fox was swimming with fellow members of the Kelp Krawlers, a group that meets weekly to swim in the area. Investigators said the group entered the water as usual, but around noon, a witness on the shoreline reported seeing a “large splash.” The report prompted the other swimmers to return to shore out of concern that it may have been a shark attack. Everyone returned safely except Fox.

Two witnesses said Fox may have encountered a shark while swimming offshore near Lovers Point.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the first report came from a driver stopped at a stop sign. The witness said they saw a shark breach the water with what appeared to be a human body in its mouth, then submerge and not resurface.

The Coast Guard said a second witness—one of the swimmers—took a count and realized Fox was missing.

The search was officially suspended Monday afternoon after about 15 hours of searching more than 84 square nautical miles.

“The Coast Guard extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones affected by this tragic incident,” said Capt. Jordan Baldueza, commander of Coast Guard Sector San Francisco.

Multiple agencies assisted in the response, including the U.S. Coast Guard, Monterey Fire Department, Seaside Fire, and CAL FIRE. Authorities said crews used rescue boats, drones, and helicopters to search the water and the surrounding area.