Search suspended for missing California swimmer after possible shark attack; witness says seeing a shark with body in its mouth

MONTEREY, Calif. — A search has been suspended in California for a missing swimmer who may have been attacked by a shark, officials said.

The swimmer, who has been identified as 55-year-old Erica Fox, was reported missing just after noon on Sunday at Lovers Point in Pacific Grove in Monterey Bay, according to a joint statement from the Coast Guard and the cities of Pacific Grove and Monterey.

Two witnesses told ABC Fresno station KFSN that Fox “may have encountered a shark.” Another witness also told the Coast Guard that they reported seeing a shark with a body in its mouth before it submerged.

Video in the media player above is from a previous update

Boats and helicopters were deployed for Sunday’s search, which lasted nearly eight hours, well past sunset, officials said. The search resumed on Monday morning but was suspended barring any further developments in the case, the Coast Guard said.

The swimmer’s family has been notified, officials said.

Lovers Point Beach in Pacific Grove and McAbee Beach and San Carlos Beach in Monterey are closed through Tuesday, the officials said.

ABC News’ Tristan Maglunog and Amanda Morris contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2025 ABC News Internet Ventures.