Search continues for missing swimmer involved in possible shark attack

(NBC, KYMA) - The search continued Tuesday for missing 55-year-old swimmer Erica Fox, who disappeared after a reported shark attack at Lovers Point in California.

"People are a lot more aware. Like you can tell, everybody is a little apprehensive to get in the water," said Sam Pierce, who swims at Lovers Point.

The Pacific Grove community is still shaken after Fox became the victim of what is believed to be a possible shark attack.

The last major shark attack at lovers point happened in 2022, when Steve Bruemmer was bitten by a great white. Bruemmer knew Fox personally as they swam together in their swim group, the Kelp Krawlers.

"It was a sad and shocking thing to learn, to learn that there had been 15 swimmers that went out and only 14 returned," Bruemmer expressed.

Bruemmer described Fox as a risk taker who loved the water.

"She was a bright light. She always had a big smile. Sharp and a caring person," Bruemmer shared.

In a statement to an NBC affiliate in the Monterey Bay area, Pacific Grove Mayor Nick Smith said in part:

"On behalf of the City of Pacific Grove and the City Council, I extend my deepest and heartfelt sympathy to the family and loved ones of Erica Fox. When a tragedy like this occurs in a small town it is deeply felt throughout our entire community."

Residents on the Central Coast say their connection to the ocean makes the possibility of a shark in these waters all the more unsettling.

"It's just kind of scary to think about how she was just doing her normal everyday sort of activity and then the thing you'd least expect to happen. And so, it's really sad," said Luke Edwards, who lives in Santa Cruz.

Although official search efforts have been suspended, the Monterey County Sheriff's Office took advantage of favorable diving conditions Tuesday along with bedrock ocean exploration.

The Angels Recovery Dive team, led by Juan Heredia, also worked to try and recover Fox.

"It's hard to, for me, think that somebody would be in the water for that long and the family be worrying," Heredia spoke.

Bruemmer says, as surprising as it sounds, he was not in pain and hopes the same for Fox.

"I know that you lose blood and you lose consciousness pretty quickly, I hope, and I believe that Erica, in her final moments, was not suffering and pain from a shark bite. I hope that's of some solace to her loved ones," Bruemmer added.