In a grim conclusion to a week-long search that gripped California’s Central Coast, the body of 55-year-old triathlete Erica Fox was recovered on December 28, 2025, south of Davenport Beach in Santa Cruz County—about 30 miles from where she vanished during a group swim in Monterey Bay. The discovery came after chilling eyewitness accounts described a shark breaching the water with what appeared to be a human body in its mouth on the day she disappeared, December 21. Fox, still clad in her black wetsuit and wearing a shark deterrent anklet, was identified by family through her clothing and belongings, bringing heartbreaking closure to a suspected fatal shark attack.

The incident unfolded during a routine Sunday morning swim with the Kelp Krawlers, a local open-water group Fox co-founded. Swimming off Lovers Point in Pacific Grove with her husband Jean-Francis Vanreusel and about 15 others, Fox was leading the pack when witnesses reported a large splash and a shark sighting around noon. One driver, stopping at a nearby intersection, alerted the Coast Guard after seeing a shark surface with an object resembling a human body before submerging. The group quickly exited the water, but Fox was missing, prompting an immediate multi-agency search involving helicopters, boats, and divers.

Erica Fox was no stranger to the ocean’s risks. A passionate adventurer from Pebble Beach, she had completed two half-Ironman triathlons and participated in the grueling Escape from Alcatraz event for nearly 20 years. Friends described her as bubbly, joyful, and respectful of marine life—she even attended “Sharktober” seminars to learn about sharks and wore electromagnetic deterrent devices. Despite this, the attack marks a rare tragedy: only the second fatal shark incident at Lovers Point in over 70 years, and one of just 16 in California since 1950, per state wildlife data. Experts attribute increased sightings to seasonal migrations of great white sharks feeding on seals and sea lions along the coast from October to January.

The recovery operation was challenging, requiring Cal Fire’s San Mateo-Santa Cruz unit to use rope systems to hoist the body from bluffs. While official identification from the coroner is pending, Fox’s father James and husband confirmed it was her, expressing profound grief. Vanreusel, swimming just 100 yards behind, recounted the sudden horror to local media, noting how quickly the serene outing turned deadly. The Kelp Krawlers community mourned her as an “incredibly cheerful” leader who embodied the group’s spirit of adventure and camaraderie.

This event has reignited discussions on ocean safety in popular swimming spots like Monterey Bay, where cold waters and abundant prey draw sharks. Though attacks remain exceedingly rare—far outweighed by risks like rip currents or boating accidents—incidents like this prompt reminders to swim in groups, avoid dawn/dusk hours, and use deterrents. Local authorities closed nearby beaches temporarily, and shark monitoring programs continue tracking migrations via tagged animals.

Fox’s legacy extends beyond athletics: a devoted wife, community member, and ocean enthusiast who found joy in pushing limits. As her family navigates unimaginable loss during the holidays, tributes pour in, celebrating a life full of vitality and kindness. This tragedy underscores the ocean’s unpredictable power, even for experienced swimmers, serving as a somber reminder to cherish time in the waves—and with loved ones.