Search operations for missing Pacific Grove swimmer to wind down

Natalie Neysa Alund and Roseann Cattani, USA TODAY

Mon, December 22, 2025 at 11:39 PM UTC

3 min read

Search and rescue operations continued the morning of Monday, Dec. 22 for a missing 55-year-old woman swimming off a popular beach in Pacific Grove after a reported shark sighting the day before.

Around 12 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 21, the Pacific Grove Police Department and Monterey Fire Department responded to a report of a missing swimmer off Lovers Point, according to a joint Statement from the City of Pacific Grove, City of Monterey and U.S. Coast Guard.

"Two witnesses indicated the swimmer may have encountered a shark while swimming offshore near Lovers Point," the release states.

Emergency response teams began conducting a search and rescue mission with support from the United States Coast Guard, Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, and California State Parks, but by 8 p.m. local time, the swimmer was still not sighted.

The multi-agency response was supported by aircraft, boats, drones and divers.

As of 2 p.m. on Monday, the swimmer had not been located.

"Search and rescue operations continued this morning and will be winding down today," said Commander Brian Anderson of the Pacific Grove Police Department. "However, the missing persons investigation will continue, and we are ready to respond if any new information comes forward."

Lovers Point is in Pacific Grove, a coastal city near Monterey about 115 miles south of San Francisco.

Officials continued to search for a missing swimmer on Monday morning, Dec. 22, 2025 following a reported shark sighting off Lovers Point in Pacific Grove in Northern California that closed several beaches.

The swimmer's identification has not been officially released by law enforcement pending the notification of family members.

"We are respecting the husband's wishes at this time and not confirming the swimmers name so he can have time to notify family," Anderson said.

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'A human body in its mouth'

On Sunday, Anderson told KSBW-TV, the missing swimmer was swimming "with a regular group that meets in the area every Sunday."

The group entered the water as usual and a witness on the shoreline reported seeing a “large splash" when the woman disappeared, police told the outlet, which caused the other swimmers to return to shore "out of concern it may have been a shark attack. Everyone in the group returned safely except the missing swimmer."

U.S. Coast Guard Officer Christopher Sappey reported that one witness described seeing a frightening encounter between a person in the water and a shark.

"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," Sappey told SF Gate. "They then witnessed the shark submerge below the waterline without resurfacing."

Anderson confirmed to the Salinas Californian on Monday that "based on witness statements we believe a shark was involved."

Lovers Point Beach and nearby swimming spots closed

Lovers Point Beach, as well as McAbee and San Carlos Beaches in Monterey, will remain closed as a precautionary measure through Tuesday, Dec. 23, officials with both cities announced.

A beach advisory, a notice posted on social media reads, will remain in place for the following locations:

Asilomar State Beach
Monterey Municipal Beach
Del Monte Beach
Monterey State Beach

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"We would just like to remind the public that we share our waters with wildlife and to swim with a friend and be aware of your surroundings," said Anderson.

The Red Triangle

Lover’s Point, a popular swimming and wading spot in Pacific Grove, draws beachgoers year-round with its turquoise waters.

The location is also part of the Red Triangle, a stretch of ocean in Northern California that has one of the highest concentrations of great white sharks in the world.

Since 1993, there have been six fatalities in California attributed to white sharks.

As of Monday, Dec. 22, there had been three shark attacks on a person reported in California this year.

None resulted in a fatality, according to reports.

According to data from the International Shark Attack File, run by the Florida Museum of Natural History, the world averages 65 documented shark attacks each year.

Last year, 47 people were bitten in unprovoked attacks.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Swimmer missing after shark spotted in California, beaches closed

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