Swimmer missing at Pacific Grove beach amid reports of shark

A swimmer went missing Sunday off a Pacific Grove beach, around the time a shark sighting was reported, authorities said.

Just after noon on Dec. 21, a full water rescue response from multiple agencies was initiated for a 55-year-old woman who had been swimming near Lovers Point. Searchers used boats, drones and a helicopter.

The woman was part of a group that was swimming off the beach when a “large splash” prompted her companions to return to shore, Pacific Grove Police Commander Brian Anderson said. Once there, they realized that she was not with them, he said.

At least two witnesses believed they saw a shark — and one reported something more disturbing, according to Petty Officer Christopher Sappey with the U.S. Coast Guard.

“The person who reported the shark sighting claimed they saw a shark breach the water with what appeared to be a human body in its mouth,” he said. “They then witnessed the shark submerge below the waterline without resurfacing.”

Sappey said there is no solid evidence that the missing swimmer was attacked by a shark.

The reports of a shark sighting prompted the city of Pacific Grove to close all beaches within a mile of Lovers Point.

The Coast Guard continued searching into Sunday evening. Efforts were scheduled to resume in the morning with searchers from multiple agencies.

Out of caution, Lovers Point Beach in Pacific Grove as well as McAbee and San Carlos Beaches in Monterey will remain closed through Tuesday, according to the the city of Monterey. A beach advisory will remain in place for Asilomar State Beach, Monterey Municipal Beach, Del Monte Beach, and Monterey State Beach through Tuesday.

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