On Saturday, authorities announced the discovery of a body south of Davenport Beach.
The location, just north of Santa Cruz, and about an hour drive from Monterey, has officials speculating if the recovered body may be that of Erica Fox – the 55-year-old swimmer who went missing in a suspected shark attack from a week ago.
Since the incident, rescue crews have been unable to find Fox, which is leading officials to believe the recovered body could be a match. But as of now, no official connection between the body retrieved, and the missing triathlete in Pacific Grove has been made.
In an update Saturday from the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, they announced:
“Today, at approximately 2:00 p.m., a body was recovered from the ocean south of Davenport Beach. 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.
“The investigation remains ongoing. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.”
Firefighters reportedly used a “rope system to bring the body from the beach to the bluffs.” No reports have been made regarding the condition of the body. And while officials did not release any identifying information of the body, they’ve handed it over to the coroner.
Related: ‘Human Body in Its Mouth’: Shark Attack Victim Still Missing in CA
Speculation as to whether the recovered body is that of the missing Erica Fox has been rampant online. However, one “veteran rescue diver,” Juan Heredia, who has been searching for the victim of the alleged shark attack, believes they found a match.
In a social media post following the announcement from the Santa Cruz County Sheriff, Heredia wrote: “CONFIRMED, Erica was found!!”
Once again, officials have yet to confirm.
Related: Possible Shark Attack, Woman Missing in Northern California
