Authorities confirmed Thursday afternoon that Erica Fox, 55, a swimmer who was found dead last month after a swim in Monterey County, was killed by a shark.
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff-Coroner identified Fox as the victim found floating near Davenport a week after she went missing on Dec. 27, 2025, about 25 miles north of Lovers Point in Pacific Grove. The attack marks the first fatal shark incident at Lovers Point in more than 70 years.
“The Santa Cruz County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office has determined the cause of death to be sharp and blunt force injuries and submersion in water due to a shark attack,” the office said in a statement Thursday. “The manner of death has been ruled an accident.”
Fox was reported missing Dec. 21, 2025, after she failed to return to shore with her swim group, the Kelp Krawlers. Witnesses that morning reported seeing a shark breach just offshore at Lovers Point, where Fox had been leading a group of about a dozen swimmers.
According to her husband, Jean-Francois Vanreusel, Fox was identified by her white Garmin watch and a “shark band” still attached to her ankle.
“The Sheriff’s Office once again extends its deepest condolences to Erica Fox’s family and friends during this difficult time,” the sheriff’s office said.
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