In a tragic turn of events, a 55-year-old woman is missing and presumed dead after disappearing during an open-water swim off the central California coast. The incident has shaken the local community as they grapple with the potential consequences of this unfortunate occurrence.

The woman was last seen enjoying a swim near Lovers Point on the Monterey Peninsula early Sunday morning. Alarm was raised when two witnesses reported what they believed to be a shark attack, sparking immediate concern and action.

In response to the incident, the city of Pacific Grove took swift measures by closing all beaches within a mile of Lovers Point. This decision was announced on social media, citing an ‘unconfirmed shark incident’ as the reason behind the precautionary closure.

Authorities promptly launched a comprehensive search-and-rescue operation, deploying rescue boats, drones, and helicopters in a concerted effort to locate the missing swimmer. Despite their extensive efforts, the search was called off Sunday evening at 8 PM, with no sign of the woman.

The search has since resumed, albeit on a smaller scale than the initial operation. Social media personality Dylan Blau shared updates from the beach on Monday morning, providing the public with continued insight into the ongoing search efforts.

Police have not yet publicly named the swimmer, but her family has been notified. 

Shark sightings are rare along the central coast and there is no evidence to substantiate claims that the woman was attacked by one.

But Coast Guard Petty Officer Christopher Sappey did confirm that a witness reported seeing a shark carrying a human body in its mouth.

A 55-year-old woman is feared dead after she vanished during an open-water swim along the coast of Lovers Point Beach in the Monterey Peninsula

Authorities launched a search-and-rescue mission at the beach (pictured) after the woman was reported missing on Sunday

All beaches within a mile of Lovers Point were closed after her disappearance, the city of Pacific Grove said on social media, citing an ‘unconfirmed shark incident. 

‘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.’ 

Another witness said they saw a ‘large splash,’ which prompted the swim group to return to shore.

When they made it back, they realized their fellow swimmer was missing. 

Sappey added that while he could confirm a shark sighting in the area, he could not ‘correlate this sighting with the missing person.’

The woman, identified only as being 55 with blonde hair and blue eyes, has still not been found. 

A heavy police presence remains at Lovers Point Beach on Monday morning, with Blau reporting that authorities have cordoned off an entire rock area at the beach. 

The influencer claims officials are also limiting public access to the beach.

Authorities launched a search-and-rescue mission using rescue boats, drones and helicopters in an attempt to find her. The search was suspended after rescuers failed to locate her by 8pm

A Coast Guard Petty official said a witness reported seeing a shark carrying a human body in its mouth on Sunday. Pictured are rescuers searching for the woman

First responders descended on Lovers Point Beach on Sunday morning after a swimmer was reported missing  

A heavy police presence remains at Lovers Point Beach on Monday morning. Pictured is a search and rescue helicopter that was deployed in the area on Sunday

Lovers Point Beach and the McAbee and San Carlos beaches in Monterey are expected to remain closed through Tuesday.  

Several nearby beaches have been placed under an advisory.

Shark attacks are rare, with only 47 reported globally in 2024, according to the Florida Museum’s shark attack file. 

The US accounted for the majority of bites worldwide, with Florida having the most. Hawaii recorded the only fatality. 

Swimmers and waders accounted for 50 percent of unprovoked bites, according to officials. Surfers and snorkelers or free divers accounted for 34 and 8 percent of bites, respectively.