After months of uncertainty and a prolonged search effort, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) community is mourning the loss of one of their own. On Wednesday, the body of Connor J. Lees, an LAFD firefighter who had been missing since December, was recovered off the coast of Long Beach. The 29-year-old firefighter was last seen free diving near Pier J in the Port of Long Beach, engaging in the breath-hold underwater activity without the aid of scuba gear, as reported by KTLA.
Authorities initiated a search operation on December 4 after Lees did not return to the boat where he had gone diving, NBC Los Angeles detailed. The effort, which lasted over 19 hours before turning into a recovery mission, was ultimately unsuccessful at that time. A candlelight vigil was held for Lees on December 22 in Seal Beach, attended by his family, friends, and colleagues who came together to honor the missing diver's memory.
The search included resources from the U.S. Coast Guard, the LBFD, L.A. County Fire, Long Beach Police, and the L.A. Port Police, as mentioned by CBS Los Angeles. Despite this extensive display of cross-agency collaboration, it was not until recently that the conclusion to this ordeal was reached. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department's Instagram post, "despite an exhaustive and highly technical search, Firefighter Lees was presumed lost at sea, and recovery efforts were concluded on December 6, 2024."
The statement went on to convey the collective heartache felt by Lees' firefighting family, "The LAFD stands united in grief alongside Firefighter Lees’ family, friends, and colleagues. We extend our deepest condolences to all who knew and loved him." The LAFD also expressed deep gratitude toward the Long Beach Police Department and the Long Beach Fire Department for their relentless commitment during the search and recovery process. A GoFundMe page has been set up to support Lees’ family and can be found here. Lees served six years with LAFD, most recently on B Platoon at Fire Station 94 in the Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw community, and is remembered as a dedicated public servant taken too soon.
