Authorities have found the body of a missing triathlete believed to be the victim of a shark attack. Police discovered the body floating just miles away from where Erica Fox disappeared.
"Due to the close proximity to the recent shark attack victim in Monterey County, our agency is working closely with the Monterey County Sheriff's Office and the Pacific Grove Police Department regarding the recovery," said the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office.
Triathlete Found Dead
"The search, which began on Sunday, December 21 and continued Monday, December 22, was suspended after more than 15 hours of search operations covering an area of over 84 square nautical miles," said Pacific Grove Police. "The swimmer was identified as Erica Fox, a resident of Monterey County. The City of Pacific Grove and the City Council extend their deepest and heartfelt sympathy to the family and loved ones of Erica Fox."
Previously, Petty Officer Christopher Sappey from the U.S. Coast Guard feared a shark may have killed the triathlete.
"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 said, per SFGATE. "They then witnessed the shark submerge below the waterline without resurfacing. I can confirm that there was a reported sighting in the area, however we cannot necessarily correlate this sighting with the missing person as there is no confirming evidence of that."
