It’s the kind of news that hits a small coastal community right in the heart. After a week of holding onto hope and bracing for the worst, the family of Erica Fox has confirmed that the body recovered from a secluded Santa Cruz beach is indeed hers. Erica, a 55-year-old powerhouse in the local swimming scene, had been missing since a terrifying incident during a group swim just days before Christmas.
The tragedy unfolded on Sunday, December 21, at Lovers Point in Pacific Grove. Erica wasn’t just any swimmer; she was a co-founder of the Kelp Krawlers, a tight-knit group of cold-water enthusiasts who meet every Sunday like clockwork. That morning, she was out with about 15 others, doing what she loved most. But things took a dark turn around noon when witnesses saw a massive splash in the water. One person watching from the shore told the Coast Guard they actually saw a shark breach the surface with what looked like a person in its mouth before disappearing back into the deep.
When the group made it back to the sand, the realization set in—Erica was gone. For the next few days, a massive search effort took over Monterey Bay. Boats, helicopters, and drones covered over 80 square miles, but by Monday night, officials had to make the gut-wrenching call to suspend the search. Her friends and family were left in a painful limbo, knowing how unlikely it was for even an elite athlete like Erica to survive those conditions.
The break in the case came Saturday afternoon, about 45 miles north of where she vanished. Firefighters had to use a complex rope system to reach a “remote pocket beach” south of Davenport, near Wilder Ranch State Park, to recover a body from the rugged shoreline. Erica’s father, James Fox, later confirmed the identity, noting that the clothing matched exactly what his daughter was wearing when she went for her final swim.
While the Santa Cruz County Coroner’s Office is still finishing up the official paperwork and hasn’t formally listed a cause of death, the community isn’t waiting for a report to start grieving. Erica was a triathlete who had conquered Half Ironmans and was known for being a “very good soul” who could outswim almost anyone. Her husband, Jean-Francois Vanreusel, shared that Erica lived her life fully and refused to live in fear of the ocean she loved so much.
On Sunday, the Kelp Krawlers gathered back at Lovers Point. It wasn’t for their usual swim, but for an informal memorial to honor the woman who helped build their community. They shared stories and stood by the water, remembering a friend who was as competitive as she was kind. It’s a somber reminder of the raw power of the Pacific, even for those who know its waters best.
For now, the investigation is still technically open as authorities look into the details of the encounter. Fatal shark attacks are incredibly rare in this area, which makes the loss of such a vibrant, experienced swimmer feel even more surreal. Pacific Grove and the surrounding beach towns are feeling the weight of the tragedy, mourning a local legend who left us doing exactly what she was born to do.
