The sighting comes days after Arlene Lillis, a visitor from Minnesota, sustained fatal injuries while swimming at Dorsch Beach. Territorial officials have since confirmed that her injuries were caused by a shark. However, authorities have not been able to positively identify the shark involved in the fatal incident, including its species.

Overall, from 1950 to Dec. 23, 2025, it was one among 231 shark attacks in state waters, according data from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff-Coroner identified Fox as the victim found floating near Davenport a week after she went missing on Dec. 27, 2025, about 25 miles north of Lovers Point in Pacific Grove. Although multiple witnesses reported seeing a shark near where Fox disappeared, the coroner did not officially confirm a shark bite until Thursday.

Nicole Angeli, director of DNPR’s Division of Fish and Wildlife, confirmed the shark attack and concurred that “this heartbreaking incident has shaken our entire community.” According to Ms. Angeli, encounters with sharks are “common” but “encounters that result in a bite are very rare.”

The tragedy has forced yet another reckoning for the Kelp Krawlers, many of whom made the decision to resume their weekly Lovers Point swims even after fellow club member, Steve Breummer, was

Authorities have identified a swimmer who went missing after a shark attack off the Northern California coast.

Since 1956 there have been 18 notable shark attacks in County including 3 fatal attacks. Far fewer than articles about catching sharks.

On December 21st, 55-year-old triathlete Erica Fox from near Pebble Beach set out on a swim in Monterey Bay, California and was later reported missing and

On December 21st, 2025, swimmer Erica Fox went missing while in the water off Pacific Grove in Monterey County, California. Following an extensive search, her body was found six days later in Santa Cruz County, expected to be the victim of a shark attack.