A multi‑agency search stretched into Sunday evening after a 55‑year‑old woman vanished while swimming off Lovers Point in Pacific Grove. Witnesses reported a sudden, dramatic splash in the water, and the regular Sunday swim group made it back to shore without her. Rescue crews combed the area into the night, and nearby beaches were shut down as officials tried to track down the missing swimmer.
Multi‑agency Search At Lovers Point
According to KSBW, Pacific Grove police stated that the woman had been swimming approximately 100 yards off Lovers Point. Officers described her by age and appearance to assist in the search. Police Commander Brian Anderson told reporters that the group in the water saw a “large splash,” headed back to shore together, and realized once on land that one swimmer had not returned.
Coast Guard And Fire Crews Join The Hunt
The effort quickly grew into a large coordinated search involving the U.S. Coast Guard, Monterey Fire Department, Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, and California State Parks, according to SFGATE. Crews used small boats, drones, and multiple Coast Guard helicopters to sweep the water and shoreline. Petty Officer Christopher Sappey said one witness reported seeing a shark breach the surface, but he emphasized there is no confirmed link between that sighting and the missing swimmer.
Beaches Closed And Advisories In Place
City and county officials closed Lovers Point Beach and all beaches within a one‑mile radius. They said that McAbee and San Carlos beaches in Monterey would remain closed as a precaution, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Authorities said the active search was halted at dusk and scheduled to resume this morning. They urged residents and visitors to respect the closures while crews continue their work.
Local Context: Rare But Not Unprecedented
Shark encounters along the Central Coast are relatively rare, but they do happen. Lovers Point was the site of a serious great white bite in June 2022, when a swimmer was badly injured but survived, an incident previously reported by KSBW. That history has kept local officials on alert for unusual activity close to shore.
What Officials Say Will Happen Next
Authorities said the missing swimmer’s family has been notified and that search operations are planned to continue at first light, according to CBS News. Officials are urging the public to stay out of the water in the affected area and say they will release more information as soon as it is confirmed.
